With six minutes left in the game, everyone at FedExForum was dancing to “Whoop that Trick.” Including little Kaari Morant. It was that kind of triumphant night.

A 28-point rout, a big adjustment, and a third-quarter explosion that felt somewhere between an exhalation and an exorcism following Saturday night’s Game 1 disappointment. 

April 19, 2022: The Memphis Grizzlies defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves at FedExForum.

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Jackson, Grizzlies bounce back for Game 2 win

Jaren Jackson Jr. scores 16 points, including four 3-pointers, and Xavier Tillman Sr. provides the surprise element in a 28-point win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

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Calkins: Grizzlies whoop those Timberwolves

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Grizz fans give players advice for Game 2 online, not feeling ‘MemThis’

Box score: Grizzlies 124, Timberwolves 96

 The Memphis Grizzlies will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the first round in the NBA playoffs tonight at 7:30. Minnesota currently leads 1-0. 

Feeling a little queasy, Grizzlies fans? That’s understandable. But you can take heart that the players themselves don’t seem to be nervous. According to coach Taylor Jenkins, they’re just “pissed.”

Ja Morant won’t call Game 2 a must-win for the Grizzlies because he believes that sort of pressure is not healthy for the team. 

 The Memphis Grizzlies will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the first round in the NBA playoffs on Tuesday, April 19. 

Ja Morant sure did get Timberwolves and Grizzlies fans fired up for Game 2 when he took to the ’Gram and shared a two-part post.

In Game 1, Ja Morant was good and Anthony Edwards was better, but that’s not what seemed to determine the outcome. Rather, it was the Grizzlies problem-solving too slowly and too ineffectively in the frontcourt. What will Game 2 bring?

Brandon Clarke believes the Grizzlies will be fine. They will have to prove that in Game 2; otherwise it will be an extremely uphill battle to advance. 

Ja Morant is a Most Improved Player finalist, and if he makes the All-NBA team, he would be eligible for a super-max contract extension this summer. 

April 16, 2022: The Minnesota Timberwolves defeat the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.

Anthony Edwards scored 36 points and the Timberwolves outscored Memphis by 27 points from behind the 3-point line in the upset victory. 

This is the second protest in a week against Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, alleging animal cruelty at a farm that he owns. 

These Grizzlies could win a title; they also could lose in the first round. It’s a postseason like no other in Memphis history. How long will the playoff party last?

Dillon Brooks wasn’t available in the Grizzlies’ regular-season games against Minnesota, but he’s crucial to defending against D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards. 

The Grizzlies will take on the Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA Playoffs Saturday, April 16, at the FedExForum, and the ‘MEMTHIS’ signage across the city isn’t the only way Memphians are prepping.

The Grizzlies’ second-year guard has been an offensive force, but against the Timberwolves, his defense will be just as important.

Ja Morant knows Patrick Beverley is coming for him. His response? “If somebody comes toward you, you can’t back down.” 

Here’s what’s being said about the Grizz players online and how Memphians are rooting for their home team. 

The Grizzlies star took a moment to compliment Patrick Beverley’s “high level” of energy, but added: “My matchup is with the Timberwolves.”