The Memphis Grizzlies are starting to look like a team that understands who it is. Wednesday night’s 116–110 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves was not about flash or star power. It was about patience, trust, and a group learning how to stay connected when conditions are not ideal.
With Ja Morant sidelined by an ankle injury, Cam Spencer out for personal reasons, and the team still finding its footing without Zach Edey, the Grizzlies chose discipline over desperation. They trusted their structure and effort, securing a road win that felt bigger than one night. In December, wins like this define what a team is becoming.
Slowing the Game and Trusting the Work
Without Morant, Memphis was never going to overwhelm Minnesota with pace. Instead, the Grizzlies slowed the game, valued possessions, and leaned into defense. They forced turnovers, stayed disciplined on the glass, and resisted the urge to rush when the offense stalled.
Head coach Tuomas Iisalo framed it simply. “It’s the biggest stabilizing factor that a team can have,” Iisalo said. “First of all, controlling the possession game, but also controlling the boards.”
That mindset showed throughout the night. Memphis did not chase offense. It trusted its habits.
Jaren Jackson Jr. Leads With Balance
Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to look settled, and that steadiness has become a through-line during Memphis’ December push. Jackson finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds, but the significance was in how those numbers came. It was his first double-double of the season.
He waited for his spots, absorbed contact, and stayed locked in defensively even when the game turned physical.
“Jaren’s been in his spots for a while now,” Iisalo said. “It was just a matter of time. Now he’s playing with a lot of confidence.”
After working through early-season struggles, Jackson’s confidence has settled in. It’s quieter now, more controlled, and more intentional. In a game that required patience rather than volume, that steadiness mattered. The next step is sustaining it, night after night, as this stretch begins to define who he is for Memphis.
Jock Landale and the Value of Readiness
While Jackson Jr. anchored the night, Jock Landale shifted the feel of the game.
Coming off the bench, Landale delivered 20 points, 10 rebounds, and timely three-point shooting that stretched Minnesota’s defense. His impact was rooted in decisiveness.
“I try not to overthink the game,” Landale said. “If I’m open, I’ll let it go. If not, I’ll kick it somewhere else.”
That approach kept the offense flowing and reflected the trust built within the system.
“When you can just get in and play basketball and know the ball is going to move, you get results off that,” Landale said.
The Stretch That Changed Everything
Midway through the third quarter, Memphis found itself down nine and at a crossroads. Instead of pressing, the Grizzlies stayed grounded. They defended, rebounded, and executed possession by possession.
The 14–2 run that followed reflected discipline and connection rather than urgency. It wasn’t driven by any one player. It was the product of a team that trusts its process.
Depth That Feels Connected
This win belonged to the group. Cedric Coward finished with 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists while handling significant on-ball responsibility during a tense fourth quarter. He had a few rough moments, including three turnovers in the period and a late travel that teammates laughed about afterward, a moment made easier by the win.
Iisalo framed the experience as necessary growth. “The deep end is the best teacher,” Iisalo said. “The comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” He added that expectations do not change based on experience, emphasizing that every player is trusted to do their job and that those situations are part of building a team that believes it can win together.
To round it out, Jaylen Wells and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope provided steady balance, with Wells scoring 17 and Caldwell-Pope adding 12 while keeping the offense calm. Santi Aldama handled the physical work inside with 11 rebounds. Brandon Clarke, back in action since March 2025 and unexpectedly starting, brought energy and stability without forcing the moment as Memphis leaned on its depth.
“I felt good,” Clarke said after the game. “Just glad to be back out there with my teammates. I’m glad to win.”
There was no attempt to replace Morant. No one tried to be more than themselves. The responsibility was shared.
Why This Matters in December
Not long ago, Memphis was 4–11, searching for clarity and traction. With this win, the Grizzlies improved to 13–14, placing themselves in position to realistically climb above .500 before the calendar turns.
December basketball exposes habits. It tests patience. It reveals whether a team can win when comfort disappears.
Memphis is starting to answer those questions.
This was not a perfect performance. It did not need to be. It was a sign of growth, trust, and a team learning how to win the kinds of games that matter later.
And in December, that matters more than anything else.
Up Next
The Grizzlies will get a couple of days to reset before returning home to host the Washington Wizards on Saturday. It’s another chance to build on what they’ve been establishing and, for the first time this season, play with a shot at reaching .500. At this point, that opportunity feels earned, not rushed, and another step in a climb that’s been anything but easy.