The Memphis Grizzlies played their final game of the season Sunday night, losing 132-101 to the Houston Rockets and allowing the Rockets to complete their sweep of the season series against the Grizzlies for the first time since the 2009-10 season.
Let’s get into it.
The desiccated husk of a team that took the court against the Rockets in the Grizzlies’ final game of the season is a testament to just how far this Memphis team has fallen.
Their final injury report has so many players included that they had to double up on a few lines in the broadcast graphic.
According to this article from Yahoo Sports, a league-high 95.16% of the Grizzlies’ payroll is sidelined.
Javon Small, a rookie guard out of West Virginia who has spent the season on a two-way contract, is the only available player remaining who played in the season opener.
The effort was there in this final game, but with just seven available players, the outcome was inevitable.
It wasn’t a wire-to-wire win for Houston, even if it felt like it watching from home. The Grizzlies did manage to hold a four-point lead for a few moments in the first quarter.
There were eight lead changes in this matchup, all happening during the first quarter.
The Rockets outscored the Grizzlies 32-26 in the first quarter, 34-19 in the second, 34-26 in the third, and 32-30 in the fourth.
Houston beat out Memphis in almost every statistical category except one – both teams finished the game with 23 assists.
The Rockets outrebounded the Grizzlies 64-37, beat them 62-48 in the paint, 34-6 in second chance points, and 16-14 in fast break points.
By The Numbers:
Five of the seven players who took the court for the Grizzlies scored in double figures.
Dariq Whitehead led all scorers with 26 points on 11 of 21 overall shooting and 4 of 11 from beyond the arc, along with four rebounds and one assist.
Rayan Rupert followed with 21 points while shooting 2 of 5 from beyond the arc and 8 of 15 overall, along with a team-high 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block.
Jahmai Mashack added 11 points, one rebound, 11 assists, and two blocks.
Both players from the second unit finished in double-figures as well:
Javon Small scored 18 points on 7 of 19 overall shooting and 2 of 10 from three-point range, along with three rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
Lucas Williamson added 15 points on 5 of 14 overall shooting and 3 of 10 from beyond the arc, along with six rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block.
What’s Next for the Grizzlies?
The 2026 NBA Draft lottery, which will determine the top four picks in the upcoming draft, is scheduled for May 10, 2026.
The actual date for the 2026 NBA draft has yet to be announced.