The University of Memphis has had at least one player taken in the NFL Draft for the last nine years. Former Tigers safety Quindell Johnson hopes to keep the streak alive. 

Now comes the most difficult challenge: Winning on the road, where Memphis is 16-27 this season.

Desmond Bane said the Grizzlies would win Game 5. Now he says they’re coming back to Memphis for Game 7. After watching Bane and the Grizzlies smash the Lakers Wednesday, 116-99, maybe it’s time to trust the man.

Did the Lakers ease up with a 3-1 lead? Did the Grizzlies change this series for good? Was this ‘give the home fans one last good time’? Time will soon tell, but here are a few reasons to believe.

Nighte Pickering scores history-making winner in extra time.

Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant finally got going at once. The three stars combined for 82 points in the Game 5 victory.

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Box score: Grizzlies 116, Lakers 99

Grizzlies’ Luke Kennard exits Game 5 with shoulder injury

NBA box score for Game 5 of the Western Conference first-round NBA playoffs matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and L.A. Lakers played Wednesday, April 26 at FedExForum.

The Grizzlies’ 6-foot-5 sharpshooter had tallied six points on a 2-3 mark from 3-point range in 18 minutes off the bench before the injury.

Memphis jumps out to a 38-24 first-quarter lead and holds on to lead by nine at the half.

“Last season, Johnathan Lawson proved himself as one of the best 3-point shooters on the team — but his minutes fluctuated as a member of one of the oldest rosters in the country.”

Beat writer Drew Hill and columnist Chris Herrington discuss the upcoming Game 5 between the Lakers and Grizzlies. 

Here’s what to look for on and off the court as Memphis takes on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of their NBA playoff series Wednesday, April 26, at FedExForum.

The Tigers haven’t been majorly impacted by the spring transfer portal. Defensive back Ladarian Paulk is the only major contributor from last season who has decided to leave so far. 

Johnathan Lawson’s transfer portal entry leaves Memphis with just two guaranteed returnees from its 2022-23 team.

Rose says he’s ready to tackle the high expectations of one of the state’s top programs.

The Grizzlies have a long way to go now as they return home for Wednesday night’s Game 5, where they will face elimination at the hands of the lower-seeded but more experienced, healthier and seemingly more composed Lakers.

The Grizzlies have a lot of growing up to do. That’s obvious now. Sure, they played better in Game 4. But the old man — LeBron James — is showing them what grown-up playoff basketball looks like.

Now the Grizzlies try to defy history. Thirteen teams have erased a 3-1 series deficit, while 258 teams have failed. 

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Box score: Lakers 117, Grizzlies 111 (OT)

NBA box score for Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round NBA playoffs matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and L.A. Lakers played Monday, April 24, in Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Connor McKnatt goes the distance while striking out 10 for the Northpoint Trojans.

Grizzlies trail Lakers by 2 at halftime of Game 4.

Johnson — a 6-foot Newark, New Jersey, native — intially committed to coach Penny Hardaway in November.

“It’s a lot of positive things we can get out of that performance. We fought back! That’s the No. 1 thing. We are a very resilient group. We always bounce back after a tough loss or a tough game,” Morant said. 

The Memphis Tigers guard has entered the transfer portal, father Keelon Lawson confirmed to The Daily Memphian on Monday.

Here are the top performances by Memphis-area TSSAA track and field athletes through Saturday, April 22 meets.