Herrington: Bane’s bounceback, Edey’s cutting comfort and other good signs for the Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) celebrates hitting a 3-pointer during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Phoenix. Memphis won 117-112. (Darryl Webb/AP Photo)
Chris Herrington
Chris Herrington covers the Memphis Grizzlies and writes about Memphis culture, food, and civic life.
The Memphis Grizzlies capped 2024 in style, with a scrappy Western Conference road win in which they only had seven of their 15 main-roster players available and never trailed despite the game being up for grabs for a full 48 minutes.
They won a game in which their offense was rolling in the first half and in which it all but fell apart in the fourth quarter. They won by making clutch plays in the final minutes. With timely shots, timely rebounds and timely blocks.
If there was a bit of gloominess around the Grizzlies, or at least Grizzlies fandom, after a sudden rush of injuries coincided with a toughening of the schedule, the team’s win in Phoenix was a reminder of how good things really are.
And even if that game ends up an exception, if the next couple of weeks do end up being pretty rough as the Grizzlies roam the Western Conference playoff race without Ja Morant (and others), the team will still almost certainly come out this stretch in good shape.
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Memphis Grizzlies Subscriber Only Ja Morant Desmond Bane Zach Edey John KoncharThank you for supporting local journalism.
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