Memphis Hustle basketball was back in some déjà vu action as they faced the Santa Cruz Warriors at home for the second straight time in 48 hours. The Hustle were even more shorthanded than they have been thanks to the Grizzlies hijacking yet another player as Matthew Hurt made his NBA debut tonight after inking a 10-day contract with the team. Despite being shorthanded and in a scramble, the team played the same great ball they’ve been playing as of late and even came away with the win despite missing the G League’s leader in scoring, who is, of course, Hurt.
The Hustle came into this matchup after losing to the same Warriors team Saturday after a last-second heatbreaker that was the product of Memphis Tigers’ fan favorite, Kendric Davis. Memphis was out for blood and revenge but was left without their probable MVP candidate, Matthew Hurt, as well as Hustle players G.G. Jackson, Jacob Gilyard, and Scotty Pippen Jr. still being out while on assignment with a very injured Grizzlies team. A big concern on the evening was focused on scoring input and who would be able to fill in the gaps of Hurt’s current 28.5 ppg average that he has supplied over the past four games, but as usual, the Hustle played amazing team basketball and got a fully charged display from all seven guys as they came out on top.
The fans definitely got their money’s worth of desirable Memphis basketball, with the Hustle balling out on one end and Kendric Davis flamethrowing on the other. Davis, who served up a 23-point and 14-assist platter (with zero turnovers), was on the same timing Monday evening as he let loose 31 points and seven assists. He was a delight to Tigers fans, who were proudly cheering for him while in attendance. Unfortunately for them and Santa Cruz both, the Hustle were on a mission and managed to spoil the second leg of the Kendric Davis homecoming.
Memphis played a remarkable game, with all things considered. They lacked the facilitation of Gilyard and the scoring and attention that come with G.G. Jackson and Hurt being on the floor, but as great teams do, they found a way. Dejon Jarreau was one rebound and one assist shy of yet another triple double and finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists; Lucas Williams, who was fresh off his birthday, singed the net for 23 points on a 60% clip; Adonis Arms raked in 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists (including the game-winning lob); and CAMERON MCGRIFF brought down the roof at the Landers Center with an out-of-bounds alley-oop from Adonis Arms to seal a one-point Hustle victory, create a highlight for the ages, and cap off his 30-piece on the evening. An insanely great showing for this squad across the board, we move.
The Hustle will resume action against the G League Ignite on Saturday as they continue their current homestand. Tip will be live from the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi, at 7:00 p.m. The game will be available for viewing on Tubi.
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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