In a thrilling finish on Friday night, the Memphis Grizzlies emerged victorious against the Orlando Magic with a score of 105-104. Ja Morant was pivotal in the closing moments, contributing 10 out of his 23 points in the fourth quarter. Jaren Jackson Jr. sealed the win for Memphis by blocking a last-second floater attempt from Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, helping the Grizzlies secure the narrow victory.
Desmond Bane also played a significant role, recording 16 points and seven rebounds. He provided the decisive free throw with 45.2 seconds left in the game, which became the winning point after Santi Aldama of the Grizzlies missed two critical free throws just 10.7 seconds before the final buzzer.
On the other side, Franz Wagner stood out for the Magic, leading the team with 25 points. Banchero finished the game with 21 points despite a challenging shooting performance, hitting only 5 of his 21 attempts. Cole Anthony contributed with 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists for Orlando.
Jackson Jr. also made a mark with 16 points and three blocked shots. Despite a rough start where the Grizzlies hit only 7 out of their first 33 attempts from beyond the arc, GG Jackson II sparked a comeback in the third quarter. His three three-pointers were crucial during a remarkable 19-0 run that erased the Magic’s 19-point lead.
This win was crucial for the Grizzlies as it prevented their first three-game losing streak of the season, even with them staggering under 7-for-33 shooting from three-point range and committing 15 turnovers. The team’s performance remains strong on consecutive nights, boasting an 8-2 record in such situations.
For the Magic, this game marked the 21st in their last 22 games without guard Jalen Suggs, who is sidelined due to a left quad contusion. The narrow loss came as they kicked off a seven-game homestand.
A notable moment in the game unfolded with just over two minutes left when a replay review shifted possession to the Grizzlies after Morant disrupted Wagner’s play. Shortly thereafter, Morant tied the game with a key field goal.
One critical statistic for the Magic was their struggle from the charity stripe, where they missed 10 free throws, four of which occurred in the pivotal fourth quarter.
Looking ahead, the Grizzlies will face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night, while the Magic will host the Washington Wizards the same evening.
