Report Card: Second-Half fatigue leads to road loss in final game of the year vs Oklahoma City

The Memphis Grizzlies had their 82nd and final game of the regular season on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the Thunder already securing the 10th seed and the Grizzlies already locked into the two seed, the contest had no impact on either team’s playoff positioning. Both teams rested their primary contributors to prepare for their future games that have much more significance, and the Thunder’s reserves outlasted the Grizzlies, defeating them 115-100, putting the team’s official record for the regular season at 51-31. 

With the low stakes of the contest, some of the young Grizzlies got an opportunity to display their talents in a low-pressure environment. While Memphis fittingly lost their road their finale, a few of the team’s young stars had noteworthy performances. Here’s how the team and some of them fared in the matchup: 

David Roddy: B-

The Colorado State product kept an aggressive approach to start the game, attempting 12 shots in the first half. Throughout the contest, Roddy used the opportunity to play without Bluff City’s primary ball-handlers to make plays for others, frequently driving and penetrating. At times, Roddy was not as alert as he could have been on defense, resulting in open layups and easy threes for the Thunder, and he was incredibly inefficient on the night, going 6/19 from the field. With Roddy seemingly having a role in the playoff rotation, he will need to make sure to knock down his shots at a better clip when called upon to contribute. 

Kenneth Lofton Jr.: A+

After securing a long-term contract with the squad yesterday, Lofton Jr. spent his first full day on his new contract displaying his physical prowess, in an impressive outing from the rookie. Typically setting up shop around the block, Lofton used his large frame to facilitate and take smaller players inside. Many times when there was an opportunity for him to assert his dominance in the paint, he was able to, leading to the most rebounds he’s ever had in a game with 14. As the game went on, Lofton adapted a patient offensive approach, attributing to his big second-half where he scored 29 points in the final two quarters, helping him accomplish a new career-high of 42. While the Grizzlies collapsed down the stretch, Lofton was not the reason why.   

Ziaire Williams: B+

After a near month absence and a rocky sophomore season, the Stanford product had a blazing hot first- half, eclipsing his season high of 16 points with 18 in the first two quarters. Defending, facilitating and scoring, Williams displayed in the contest why the Grizzlies traded up to draft the youngster less than two years ago. Because of his big first half, he only needed four points in the final two quarters to attain a new career-high, which he had no problem accomplishing. While he probably won’t have a significant part in the postseason rotation, Williams gets the ability to end his season on a high note.  

Overall: B-

Leading by two going into the third quarter, the Grizzlies defensive effort dissipated throughout the final 24 minutes due to the six-man rotation Taylor Jenkins decided to deploy, causing severe fatigue. Even though they lost the contest, game 82 gave an opportunity for many young players to contribute more than they usually get to, which in a game that has no impact on the standings, is a plus.