Hustle Blow Early Lead, Fall to the Texas Legends

Memphis Hustle basketball was back in action on Friday evening for game six of their seven-game homestand as they battled out the Texas Legends for a tough loss on the home floor. The Hustle started this game with early momentum and led by double digits to end the first quarter before hitting a halt in the second. This game appeared to be well in Memphis’s control early, but Texas responded strongly and reclaimed the momentum in this game.

Texas and Memphis both arrived 8-8 going into tonight’s matchup, looking to avoid falling below.500 on the season. The Hustle were coming off a loss to snap a three-game winning streak and reunited with Matthew Hurt, who is returning from his 10-day contract stint with the Memphis Grizzlies, and DeJon Jarreau, who missed the previous game on Wednesday. Texas came into the Friday night showdown coming off of a three-game losing streak, including a 51-point loss to the Oklahoma City Blue in their last matchup, and were in great need of a bounce-back victory while Memphis was looking to avoid dropping two straight at home.

This was the most complete the Hustle roster had been in 10 days, and they were clicking early before a momentum-shattering second quarter that left the team scrambling until the final buzzer. I talked to Coach Jason March postgame about the collapse, and he was as direct as he could be: “We couldn’t guard anyone. We were terrible defensively… Gave up 135 points. It was awful. It was embarrassing. Hopefully we get better.” It was indeed a rough night for the squad on the defensive end, but I definitely anticipate a change of focus as they prepare to go into their next matchup, and I expect them to be much more aggressive on the defensive end. March and his staff have done an excellent job at bouncing back in the regular season this far and adjusting their weaknesses.

Matthew Hurt came back and provided 20 points and seven boards; DeJon Jarreau notched another triple-double with 22 points, 11 dimes, and 11 boards; and Adonis Arms poured in 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Unfortunately, it was just not enough, as the Legends offense was firing on all cylinders.

I managed to catch up with Matthew Hurt postgame and ask him about his stint with the Memphis Grizzlies and what the experience was like. Here is what he had to say: “It was great. I mean, a top-class organization [that] runs very smooth. I was just blessed to be in the position and try to impact winning. I know we got a couple of wins when I was up there, but the organization is great. I was blessed to be there, and I’m blessed to be back with the Hustle. — It was fun, man. I mean, especially the FedEx Forum. That was great.” He also added that he was happy to be back with his Hustle teammates, and he felt some responsibility for tonight’s loss but plans to continue to be better for his teammates.

The Hustle will look for revenge against the Texas Legends on Sunday afternoon. The tip will be live from the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi, at 5:00 p.m. The game will be available for viewing at https://gleague.nba.com/.

For tickets, call (901) 888-HOOP, visit https://memphis.gleague.nba.com/ticket-central, or visit the Landers Center box office.

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