Quick Recap: Grizzlies win a nail-biter against Hawks

The Memphis Grizzlies traveled down south to face the Atlanta Hawks in a Sunday night road showdown. The big announcement: Ja Morant returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench for two games. The Grizzlies were looking to extend their win streak to six games heading into a three-game homestand.

First Quarter

Turnovers and an inability to keep the Hawks off the offensive glass plagued the Grizzlies early; despite shooting 50 percent from three-point land with buckets from Jaren Jackson Jr and Desmond Bane, the Grizzlies turned the ball over six times and the Hawks scored off 14 second-chance points to keep the game close. The Grizzlies began to find an offensive rhythm towards the end of the quarter sparked by Tyus Jones who scored seven straight points. A three-pointer by Luke Kennard with about six seconds to go gave the Grizzlies a seven-point lead at the period’s end, 34-27.

Second Quarter

The Grizzlies bench was explosive to start the second. Luke Kennard came alive, hitting multiple 3’s and grabbing six rebounds that led all players at the half. He and Tyus Jones combined for 21 points at halftime. However, the Grizzlies continued to struggle to keep the Hawks off the offensive glass and had issues limiting their physical paint attack. There was some controversy to end the half, as a questionable foul call on Jaren Jackson Jr led to two technical fouls on Jackson and Coach Jenkins. A successful challenge from Memphis reversed the call. Morant went 1-for-2 on free throws off a drive in the last two seconds to give the Grizzlies a five-point lead at halftime, 61-56.

Third Quarter

The Hawks started to heat up offensively to start the third and Memphis was unable to match. A Memphis turnover led to a transition three from Trae Young that tied the game at the 8:51 mark. Ja Morant then had himself yet another signature third quarter and scored 11 points to give the Grizzlies a six-point lead halfway through. Nonetheless, the Hawks continued to show fight themselves with a 13-point showing from Trae Young. There was a late whistle for Jaren Jackson Jr. as the buzzer sounded that gave him two free throws to keep the Grizzlies up seven, 96-89.

Fourth Quarter

The Grizzlies offense was stagnant at the start of the final quarter and the Hawks found their way to the free throw line to cut the Grizzlies lead to just one about two minutes in. A seven-point heater from Desmond Bane helped grow the lead to nine midway through. However, as was the case the whole night, the Hawks did not go away; they made timely shots and cut the lead to six at clutch time. It was a nail-biting finish, but a dunk from Xavier Tillman in the last minute helped secure the game as the Grizzlies won 123-119. Ja Morant and Desmond Bane combined for 52 points on 57% shooting as the Grizzlies extend their win streak to 6.