The Memphis Grizzlies returned to the FedExForum to face the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, Nov. 17, kicking off a back-to-back series against their Western Conference rivals. Despite the absence of Nikola Jokic for Denver and Ja Morant for Memphis, the Grizzlies showcased their depth and teamwork, earning a 105-90 victory to improve to 8-6 on the season.
Team Effort Shines
Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins tied Lionel Hollins for the franchise record for regular-season coaching victories with 214. Reflecting on the team’s performance, Jenkins said, “It was nice knocking down some shots, but… I thought we had great ball movement, great body movement. Multiple guys contributed, which was great to see.”
Memphis leaned on its new offense, designed to involve a variety of players, making it difficult for opponents to focus on just one or two threats. The result was a balanced attack that saw contributions from across the roster.
The Grizzlies jumped to a 28-25 lead after the first quarter, with eight players scoring, none tallying more than six points. The bench continued the momentum in the second quarter, outscoring Denver’s reserves 28-13 in the half. Luke Kennard led the charge with eight points, including two three-pointers, helping Memphis secure a 55-43 lead at the break.
Dominating the Second Half
The Grizzlies opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run, forcing Denver into an early timeout as Memphis extended its lead to 65-43. By the end of the quarter, Memphis held a commanding 84-64 advantage.
Denver made a final push in the fourth quarter with a 16-5 run, cutting Memphis’ lead to 99-86 with just over four minutes remaining. However, the Grizzlies weathered the storm, maintaining their composure to close out the game.
Defensive Growth
Memphis’ recent success can be attributed in part to its improved defense. Rookie Jaylen Wells has taken on the challenge of guarding some of the league’s best guards, showing consistent growth in his ability to contain opponents.
Santi Aldama emphasized the team’s defensive commitment: “We are getting used to playing this way. The willingness and the culture to do both [offense and defense] is a goal.”
Wells echoed the sentiment: “I am hard on myself, but I need to look at the positives when I’m watching film. I am getting better every game. It is becoming a lot easier. I feel confident guarding those guys.”
Standout Performances
Desmond Bane flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 20 points, while Wells and Jay Huff added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Memphis made 13 three-pointers and limited Denver to just 10 from beyond the arc.
Denver (7-5) was led by Julian Strawther with 19 points, while Jamal Murray contributed 13 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. The Nuggets shot 41% from the field.
Looking Ahead
Next up for Memphis is another matchup against Denver on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the FedExForum. The game will air on TNT. The Grizzlies will then close out their three-game homestand with a contest against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, Nov. 20.
