The Memphis Grizzlies did not overpower the Milwaukee Bucks from the opening tip. They worked their way into the night, trusted the habits they have been building, and steadily turned control into comfort in a 125–104 win at FedExForum Friday night.
The early moments were uneven. Holiday legs showed. Ball movement lagged. Defensive timing was a half-step slow. But Memphis never unraveled.
“I think everybody could see the rust in how we were playing in that first quarter,” head coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “After that, we picked it up.”
They did, and they did it together.
The Quarter That Changed Everything
The game found its direction in the second quarter, and it started with Ja Morant finding his rhythm. Morant poured in 10 points, attacking the paint with confidence and setting a pace Milwaukee struggled to match. The offense settled the moment Morant did.
Inside, Jaren Jackson Jr. made his presence felt, scoring seven points while anchoring the defense and owning the space around the rim. His activity kept possessions clean and prevented the Bucks from building any momentum.
Then came Cam Spencer off the bench, delivering a timely jolt. Spencer knocked down two three-pointers on his way to eight points, stretching the floor and forcing Milwaukee to adjust on the fly.
That trio turned a tight game into one that Memphis controlled, powering a 35–15 quarter that firmly shifted the night’s momentum.
JJJ: Healthy and Whole Again
At the center of it all was Jackson Jr., who finished with 24 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks while anchoring the defense. Beyond the numbers, he looked comfortable and decisive, playing without hesitation.
Jackson Jr. acknowledged afterward that his off-season injury affected him more than he initially realized.
“I was still just recovering from surgery,” he said. “It probably took a bigger toll on me than I even knew. When you’re working on your body, you’re not really working on your game. Now I’ve been working on my game a lot more, and that helps.”
Iisalo saw that progression clearly.
“It’s all Jaren [Jackson Jr.],” he said. “He’s adjusted and found his confidence. His rebounds are up, his efficiency is up, but especially his defensive disruption. His timing is great. This is a great version of Jaren.”
That version allowed Memphis to defend aggressively, trusting the back line and committing fully to pressure.
Morant’s Return and the Rhythm That Followed
For Morant, the night was about feel, not force. After missing four games with a left ankle sprain, he finished with 17 points and 10 assists, controlling tempo and shaping possessions with patience. He touched the paint, created angles, and let the game come back to him.
“Just getting some more consecutive games under my belt,” Morant said. “Feeling the gym environment, the physicality, all that goes into rhythm.”
Once he settled in, the offense followed. “We came out a little slow,” he said. “Once we locked in and started running and spacing the floor, we got easier baskets.”
Iisalo praised Morant’s overall impact.
“Ja [Morant] has the capability to do this,” he said. “His ability to touch the paint, create in transition, feed alley-oops and kickout passes, this was a complete performance. He really looked great out there.”
Balanced Contributions Across the Board
Memphis’ depth and balance were evident throughout the night.
Spencer delivered 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists off the bench, steadying the second unit and keeping the offense organized.
Jaylen Wells added 14 points, spacing the floor and competing defensively.
“Had to get the Christmas food out of the system,” Wells said. “The important thing is sticking with it, sticking with our game plan, sticking to our identity.”
In the starting group, Cedric Coward scored 15 points, attacking within the flow and staying aggressive, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chipped in 13 points off the bench, providing spacing and steady defense. Santi Aldama added 12 points.
Christian Koloko was ready when the plan changed. After Jock Landale was ruled out late with calf soreness, Koloko took on extended minutes and provided steady rim protection and rebounding that helped stabilize the paint.
Next to Jackson Jr., he fit seamlessly into the defensive flow, using his mobility to handle multiple actions and keep Memphis balanced on that end. His composure and energy did not go unnoticed, drawing praise from both Iisalo and Morant for staying prepared and delivering when his number was called.
Not Going Back, Moving Forward
By the time the Grizzlies stretched the lead late in the third quarter, the outcome felt settled. Memphis controlled the paint, defended with discipline, and played with a joy that has been building quietly beneath the surface.
“We’re not the same team,” Morant said when asked about being fun again. “We’re a whole different team. We’re trying to find our fun.”
With a record of 15–16, the climb continues, but the foundation is clearer than it has been in weeks.
Up Next
For the second time in nine days, the Grizzlies step back into a familiar moment: a chance to reach .500, this time on the road against the Washington Wizards (6–23) on Sunday. It is another opportunity to measure progress, not just in the standings, but in how they respond.
Washington handed Memphis a 130–122 loss on December 20, a game that disrupted momentum and lingered. This rematch carries a different edge. The Grizzlies head into the nation’s capital looking to get their lick back, turn a recent frustration into fuel, and show that the lessons from that night have already been absorbed.