The Grizzlies returned from their European trip and resumed stateside action Wednesday night at home against the Atlanta Hawks, falling 124-122. The loss leaves Memphis at 4-11 against Eastern Conference teams.
Let’s get into it.
It was the first time these two teams had met this season, and both have been under heavy scrutiny regarding their franchise’s star player, with two wildly different (so far) outcomes.
The Hawks traded their five-time all-star point guard, Trae Young, on January 9th to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
After a couple of weeks full of heavy media speculation regarding his future with Memphis, the Grizzlies’ star point guard and former number 2 draft pick, Ja Morant, made his feelings on the matter quite clear on Sunday after Memphis’ win over the Orlando Magic in the NBA London game.
“Everybody in here who knows me knows I’m a very loyal guy. I got a logo on my back, and that should tell you where I want to be.”
Among the collection of tattoos on Morant’s back is the Grizzlies logo. He has been vocal in the past about his love for Memphis and his desire to remain here.
As I have written previously, trading Morant would be the dumbest thing this franchise could do right now.
Morant played a key role in securing the Grizzlies’ first wire-to-wire victory of the season in London, demonstrating to a global audience his continued capacity for high-level performance, recognized by fans worldwide.
Now he is back in action after missing six games due to a right calf injury, and despite the loss, his play against Atlanta was no less phenomenal than it was in London, save for three-point shooting.
Getting back to this matchup: If I told you that this loss was largely predicated by the Grizzlies’ turnovers and the Hawks’ conversion of those into points, would you be surprised? I hope not, because that has been an overarching theme for Memphis for this season, and last season, if we’re being brutally honest.
It feels a little like beating a dead horse, but giving up 25 points off turnovers in a game the team loses by 2 points is not the recipe for winning basketball games.
Missing three out of four free throw attempts in the final 30 seconds of the game also did the Grizzlies no favors.
Atlanta has two former Grizzlies’ players — Luke Kennard and Christian Koloko, and one Grizz killer — CJ McCollum.
Kennard and McCollum provided the Hawks with a much-needed spark off the bench. They combined for 33 points, and nine of Atlanta’s 20 made three-pointers.
The Hawks won the three-point battle with 20 made threes to the Grizzlies’ 12, but Memphis dominated in the paint 58-42. Neither team led by more than 11 points, and there were 21 lead changes and 14 ties.
This game was the closest the Grizzlies have come in a while to having their desired starting five, with only center Zach Edey missing. In Edey’s place, Memphis put John Konchar in the starting lineup for the first time this season, at the center position. Which was certainly a choice, but it turned out not to be a great one.
Konchar typically plays at the shooting guard or small forward position, occasionally with stints as a point guard, but at 6’5”, he is not the optimal size for a center.
And at 6’10”, Hawks’ center Onyeka Okongwu towers over Konchar, and unsurprisingly, he dominated on both ends of the floor.
Ja Morant led with a team-high 23 points, two rebounds, 12 assists, one steal, and a career-high three blocks, in his third consecutive double-double, and eighth of the season.
Dear Dyson Daniels,
Ja Morant would like to formally invite you to the Block Party.
Jaylen Wells finished the night with 18 points and four rebounds.
Jaren Jackson Jr. added 17 points, six rebounds, and one steal.
Cedric Coward also added 17 points on 7 of 15 overall shooting and a team-best 3 of 5 from beyond the arc, along with 7 rebounds, two steals, and one block.
Jock Landale led the second unit with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists.
Cam Spencer closed out with 11 points, two rebounds, and four assists.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies will continue their three-game homestand this weekend, playing the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night at 7 PM CST, and the Denver Nuggets on Sunday at 2:30 PM CST.