Insider Insights: Grizzlies Win in Final Seconds, Survive Spurs

That one was to close for my liking if I’m being honest. In what ended up being a much tighter game than we would’ve liked… Memphis was able to overcome a dour first quarter to snag the victory from the Spurs.

The tightness of the contest was in no small part due to the French phenom, Victor Wembanyama. His game high 30 PTS—and game high 16 REB—were damn near enough to down the Grizzlies.

Jaren Jackson Jr. must have gotten tired of losing… As well as gotten tired of hearing all the talk of another guy good at blocking shots. Because he damn near put the team on his back, hitting the game winner to secure the squad’s dub.

Now, were there other things to take away from the game regardless? Sure. With one more game left on their Western road-trip, here are two things I liked–and one thing I didn’t—last night.

2 Things I Liked…

• Jaren Jackson Jr.’s “I’m Still The Guy” Performance

In a game that featured the above mentioned Wemby… It’s a testament to the grit of JJJ that he was able to come away as the most dominant guy on the court at the end of the game. Or damn near close to it.

After a first half that saw Jaren the lesser of two players, the second half was a different story. Because Trip turned it on in the second half. Through two quarters he’d posted the following… 9 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, and 2 BLK.

Not bad right? But the second half? He decided he felt like giving Wemby a run for his money. At least when it comes to the whole “best bucket on the court” thing. He posted the following in the second half…

READY FOR LIFTOFF ✈️@spippenjr | @jarenjacksonjr pic.twitter.com/0MzypcrJKy

— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) March 23, 2024

19 PTS. 5 REB, and 1 STL. The kicker though? It was while shooting 7 of 11 (63.6%) from the field. He also made his lone three pointer of the half.

The long and short of it? Trip decided to it was a good time to become a surgeon around the basket last night. And it a game that has Wemby playing? That’s a tough task. But he made it happen.

Oh. And he won. the game on a shot as time was running out in regulation. So a game winner. Who doesn’t love a game winner?

BIG TRIPPPPPPPPPPP @jarenjacksonjr pic.twitter.com/EJZzwgLUM3

— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) March 23, 2024

Amidst a season mired with noise and criticism over his performance… Games like this can go along way towards silencing the fools. I for one am glad to have JJJ on this team. And if we get more games like this in the closing parts of the season?

You will be too.

• Scotty Pippen Jr.’s “More Than A 2-Way” Performance

Sing it with me… To the tune of Boston’s “More Than A Feeling” please… Ahem…

“More than a two-way (more than a two-way)…”

Alright. I’m done. Needed to get that out real quick. Now, where was I…

After not suiting up the past three games, Scotty Pippen Jr. returned last night. That feels like an understatement… How about ‘arrived back with extreme prejudice’?

Yeah that’s more like it.

TRAY IT UP @spippenjr 🎯 pic.twitter.com/rSNngVADfU

— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) March 23, 2024

That’s more akin to how it felt at least. Because after missing three games, Scotty came back and was the second best player they had. The Grizzlies that is.

He was their second highesst scorer… While his energy off the bench was a big reason the Grizzlies not only stayed in the game… But also kept the Spurs reserves at bay.

In 23 minutes off the bench, Scotty produced the following… 18 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, and 4 STL. That’s on 66.7% shooting from the field and 100.0% from deep. In fact, those points and steals numbers?

bait emmmmm pic.twitter.com/2M15TTLHYx

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) March 23, 2024

Well they were each more than the entire Spurs bench. Combined. That’s a damn fine basketball player if you ask me.

Pippen Jr. handles himself with both the preperation and execution of a guy far his senior. Guess that comes with having a Hall of Famer as your pops huh?

Memphis finds themselves with incredible levels of luck. With the way that they’ve found—almost stumbled into—Scotty. With injuries surrounding the future of their current backup point guard—Derrick Rose…

Well let’s say this… Having Pippen Jr. on your roster… And on a two-way contract mind you… Is a damn good situation to be in. And one I imagine Memphis is very grateful for.

…And 1 Thing I Didn’t

• The 10-Days’ “I’m Out of Sorts” Performances

It’s going to seem as if I’m ganging up on these guys. Please let me assure you that is not my intent… It’s only…

The performances out of our latest 10-day guys. Well they’ve been underwhelming. And I promise I mean no shade.

We’ve gotten spoiled is all. With some of the guys we’ve signed with these hardship exceptions. Jaylen Nowell, Matthew Hurt are two that spring to mind. Each was a guy that performed…

Let’s say way better than expected in spurts. Right? You think that’s fair to say?

As for our current two? Well… Here’s what DeJon Jarreau and Mãozinha Pereira combined for last night… 1 PTS, 5 REB, 2 STL, and 1 BLK. That was in about 25 combined minutes of play.

I get that the guys are playing out of sorts. But it’s like I said—and I’m not trying to gan up on anyone—underwhelming. Considering some of the guys we’ve signed to 10-day contracts this season.

Photo Credit: (Michael Thomas/AP Photo)