Quick Recap: Grizzlies’ shocking comeback falls short in the Garden

After a 40-point loss in Boston on Sunday, the Grizzlies were back in action tonight at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks.

The first quarter was won by New York. The Knicks shot 63.6% in the first quarter and Jalen Brunson had 17 points in the period, the most by any opposing player in the opening quarter against the Grizzlies. With no Jaren Jackson Jr. or Xavier Tillman Sr., the Grizzlies once again relied on their multitude of players on two-way and 10-day contracts. After one, Memphis was down 33-24. Not bad, all things considered.

In the second quarter, all things considered, it got worse. The Knicks continued to light it up, up to 65.5% shooting, 54.5% from three midway through the quarter. New York made its big run with Brunson on the bench, going up 48-28 with seven minutes left in the quarter. With three minutes left, the Grizzlies had nine first-half turnovers and trailed 65-39. Yikes. By the time the half rolled around the Knicks led 70-46.

Derrick Rose left the game at halftime with a tailbone injury, the latest Grizzlies injury. The Knicks were in command for the whole quarter. New York’s lead reached 27 with 4:16 to go. Trey Jemison got some offense going for the Grizz but the Knicks scored at will, making it impossible for Memphis to climb back in it. The Grizzlies had an end-of-quarter burst to make it a 97-74 deficit headed into the fourth.

These Grizzlies do not know how to quit. Memphis shot the lights out to start the fourth cutting the lead to 12 on a Jacob Gilyard step-back three. Next possession, another Gilyard three to make the score 104-95. Wow. Brunson rolled his ankle with five minutes to go in the fourth and the Grizzlies saw a window to strike. David Roddy drilled a three after an electric Trey Jemison sequence and New York’s lead was eight with under three minutes to go. GG Jackson drilled a three and blocked a shot, leading to another Roddy three and the lead was down to four! Donte DiVincenzo laced a three and Roddy turned over the ball leading to Knicks points. New York went up 118-109 and that proved to be too much to overcome for the Grizzlies.

Final: New York 123, Memphis 11

Photo Credit: Brandon Dill/AP Photos