Ja Morant looked frustrated.
The Memphis Grizzlies star aggressively attacked the rim against the lengthy Minnesota Timberwolves defense. Most of the drives ended in similar fashion — with Morant’s shot rolling off the rim, and the Grizzlies point guard staring at referees waiting on them to blow whistles that rarely came.
Morant was limited to two free throws on Saturday night at Target Center, and he didn’t make many shots. It would’ve been easy to let those struggles define his night, but the dynamic guard battled.
Behind Morant, Memphis snapped a six-game losing streak in Minnesota with a 127-125 victory.
Ja Morant takes it home
Emphasis on behind Morant.
Memphis trailed 123-119 with 2:06 remaining when Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels was called for traveling. Nine seconds later, Morant assisted on a basket to Brandon Clarke.
Jaren Jackson Jr. made two free throws to get Memphis within two, but it was Morant who scored the final four points of the game. His first layup came with 54.1 seconds left. The 6-foot-2 guard jumped into the air near the rim and was able to withstand the 7-1 Rudy Gobert getting two hands on the ball. Morant finished through the contact to tie the game.
He saved his best for last. After appearing to run out of real estate while drifting toward the baseline 12 feet from the basket, Morant tossed up a feathery floater over the arms of Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards to give Memphis the lead on the final made basket of the game.
Morant finished with 12 points on 5-for-19 shooting and added five assists.
“When know he’s built for those moments,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “… You got the utmost faith in that kid to take over a game at the end.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. delivers again
While Morant came up clutch in the end, it was Jackson who kept Memphis above water on Saturday night. The Grizzlies never trailed by more than six points. It felt like any time Minnesota threatened to pull away, Jackson would deliver.
Jackson led Memphis with 33 points and added eight rebounds. He made 13 of his 24 shots and connected on two 3-pointers.
This game was just the latest example of how Jackson has taken an offensive jump in his career. Minnesota’s physical frontcourt was the kind that Jackson struggled with earlier in his career. In Saturday, he matched and exceeded that physically with strong moves and aggressiveness.
Building the confidence
Saturday’s win was one Memphis needed. Not because the Grizzlies are in any form of desperation, but that win was one that could serve as a confidence booster.
Not only did the Grizzlies have a six-game losing streak in Minnesota dating back to 2021 snapped, but they also entered Saturday with a .500 record against the Western Conference.
Minnesota had won three games in a row sparked by a lineup change, and Memphis put an end to it.
That was the confidence-building win the Grizzlies needed before their third matchup of the season against the tough Houston Rockets on Monday night (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network).
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
