Memphis, Tennessee – In an exciting matchup on Monday night, the Memphis Grizzlies emerged victorious over the San Antonio Spurs with a score of 128-109. Jaren Jackson Jr. put on an impressive performance, tallying 31 points, while GG Jackson contributed a season-high of 27 points. Furthermore, Ja Morant made his return after being sidelined for two games due to a sore right shoulder, finishing the game with 25 points and 11 assists. This win marked the Grizzlies’ ninth victory in their last ten games, putting them 1 1/2 games ahead of the Houston Rockets for the second spot in the Western Conference, following the Rockets’ loss to the New York Knicks.
On the Spurs’ side, Victor Wembanyama led the team with 27 points, also recording 10 rebounds and two blocks. Moreover, Stephon Castle added 21 points, but the Spurs faced their fourth defeat in the last five games. The game experienced a 45-minute delay at the beginning due to a medical emergency involving a spectator sitting courtside, impacting the initial setup.
Both teams fielded slightly reduced lineups, as Memphis was missing starting guard Desmond Bane due to a sore ankle. At the same time, the Spurs were in a transitional period, with three players who had previously been on their roster moving to new teams, while De’Aaron Fox, who was recently acquired from Sacramento, had not yet joined the Spurs for this matchup.
In terms of the game dynamics, the Spurs struggled at the onset of their annual six-game Rodeo Road Trip, losing the first two games. On the other hand, the Grizzlies staked their claim as dominant contenders, boasting a record of 16 wins in their last 17 encounters against San Antonio.
A crucial moment in the game occurred when the Spurs managed to reduce the Grizzlies’ lead to single digits with just under 11 minutes left to play. However, Jaren Jackson Jr. and GG Jackson responded promptly with consecutive baskets, extending Memphis’s lead back to 14 points and regaining control of the match.
An important statistic from the game revealed the Spurs’ struggles with ball control, as they committed 23 turnovers, leading to 34 easy points for the Grizzlies. This defensive pressure allowed Memphis to cross the 100-point mark for the 52nd straight game.
Looking ahead, both teams will hit the road again on Wednesday. The Spurs will travel to Atlanta for the second matchup of their Rodeo Road Trip, while the Grizzlies will be facing off against the Toronto Raptors in their next game.
