ATLANTA — In a Saturday night matchup, the Memphis Grizzlies achieved a 128-112 victory over the struggling Atlanta Hawks, despite the absence of their star player, Ja Morant. Desmond Bane was a standout performer, contributing 23 points to the team’s success. Scotty Pippen Jr. closely followed, adding 22 points along with nine assists. Morant, who sustained a back injury during a game against the Golden State Warriors on December 19, was unable to play due to ongoing low back soreness.
On the other side of the court, De’Andre Hunter was the leading scorer for the Hawks, finishing with 26 points, while Jalen Johnson contributed a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. The Hawks also missed the presence of Trae Young, who was sidelined prior to the game due to a right heel contusion. After starting the month with three consecutive wins, Atlanta has now faced a slump, losing four of their last five matches.
Key insights from the game revealed the Grizzlies’ offensive prowess with seven players scoring in double figures. Memphis displayed sharp shooting from beyond the arc, connecting on 43.9% of their three-point attempts. In contrast, the Atlanta offense managed to perform decently without Young but ultimately fell short against a Grizzlies team that showcased an impressive 51% shooting accuracy from the field.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred with just 30 seconds left in the third quarter when Grizzlies forward Jake LaRavia hit a pull-up three-pointer on a fast break, stretching Memphis’s lead to 100-74, a moment that led many Hawks fans to leave their seats early.
The performance also highlighted Memphis’s recent success, extending their winning streak to 12 victories in 14 games. The Grizzlies, known for being the league’s top offensive team, displayed their dominance again, having outscored their past two opponents by a staggering total of 67 points.
Looking ahead, the Hawks will host the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Grizzlies are set to return home to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.