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Postgame Report: Memphis falls to San Antonio 131-119 despite historic night from Ja Morant

Key Stat of the Night

  • Ja Morant posted a career-high 44 points (18-27 FG, 1-2 3P), including 34 points in the second-half, to go with nine assists and two rebounds and one block in 35 minutes of action. Morant (21 years, 125 days) is the second-youngest Grizzlies player to score 40 points in a game in franchise history. Jaren Jackson Jr. (20 years, 89 days) scored 43 points vs. Milwaukee on Dec. 13, 2019.
  • Morant’s 44-point performance ranks second in Grizzlies franchise history behind Mike Miller’s 45-point performance at Golden State on Feb. 21, 2007. Morant’s 44 points tied Pau Gasol for the most points in a Grizzlies home game (March 28, 2006 vs. Seattle).
  • The only other player in NBA history to record a higher scoring total in the first game of his second season is Elgin Baylor (52 points on Oct. 18, 1959 vs Detroit). Morant is one of six players in NBA history to score 40+ points in the first game of their second season.

Key Run of the Night

  • The Grizzlies led 41-39 with (9:31) to play in the second period before San Antonio ripped off a 25-9 run over the next (9:01) of play. Keldon Johnson connected on a layup with 28.7 seconds to play in the second quarter to give San Antonio a 64-50 advantage.
  • San Antonio out-scored the Grizzlies 36-20 in the second period while out-shooting the Grizzlies 57.1 percent (16-28 FG) to 33.3 percent (8-24 FG) in the quarter.

Game Recap

The Memphis Grizzlies fell the San Antonio Spurs 131-119 on Wednesday night
inside FedExForum, in their regular season opener, despite a career-high 44
points from Ja Morant.

Memphis used a strong start on the offensive end to help take command of the
game early on. Kyle Anderson connected on a 3-pointer with
(7:13) to play in the first to give the Grizzlies a 22-12 advantage. Memphis
shot 50.0 percent from the field in the opening period while taking a 33-30
lead into the second quarter. However, San Antonio would flip the game in
the second, highlighted by a 25-9 run late in the period. The Grizzlies led
41-39 with (9:31) to play before San Antonio ripped off 25 of the next 34
points. To cap off the run, Keldon Johnson connected on a
layup with 28.7 seconds to play in the quarter to give San Antonio a 64-50
advantage, before ultimately taking a 66-53 into the halftime break. San
Antonio out-scored the Grizzlies 36-20 in the second period, led by
Dejounte Murray with 11 of his 21 points, while
out-shooting the Grizzlies 57.1 percent (16-28 FG) to 33.3 percent (8-24 FG)
in the quarter.

The two teams traded baskets for most of the third period before the
Grizzlies cut the lead to eight points following a basket from
Brandon Clarke with 4:34 to play in the quarter. San
Antonio stretched their lead back to 11 points heading into the fourth
quarter, where they would ultimately pull ahead by as many as 18 points.
Morant attempted to carry his team back from the 18-point deficit by scoring
a franchise record-tying 34 points in the second-half, but it would not be
enough as San Antonio cruised to the 12-point victory. Morant’s career-high
came on 18-of-27 shooting and included 18 points in the fourth quarter
alone. Memphis was unable to overcome foul troubles that allowed San Antonio
to get to the free-throw line 29 times, compared to 18 for the Grizzlies.
The charity-stripe proved to be the difference maker as the Grizzlies
out-shot San Antonio 51.6 percent to 50.5 percent from the field.

Morant (21 years, 125 days) became the second-youngest Grizzlies player to
score 40 points in a game in franchise history.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (20 years, 89 days) scored 43 points vs.
Milwaukee on Dec. 13, 2019. Morant’s 44-point performance ranks second in
Grizzlies franchise history behind Mike Miller’s 45-point
performance at Golden State on Feb. 21, 2007. Morant also tied Pau Gasol for
the most points in a Grizzlies home game, when Gasol scored 44 points on
March 28, 2006, vs. Seattle. Jonas Valanciunas posted a
double-double with 15 points, 13 rebounds and two assists on 6-of-11
shooting. Valanciunas led the Grizzlies team last season with 39
double-doubles. Dillon Brooks totaled 16 points (7-14 FG,
1-3 3P) to go with four rebounds and six assists in 33 minutes.
Desmond Bane made his Memphis Grizzlies
debut, totaling six points and four rebounds in ten minutes off the bench as
Memphis dropped to 0-1.

DeMar DeRozan totaled 28 points (7-14 FG, 14-15 FT) to go
with nine rebounds and nine assists to lead San Antonio. Murray added 21
points, nine assists and six rebounds on 9-of-15 shooting.
LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 points (9-17 FG, 1-4 3P), three
rebounds and one assist in 29 minutes of action.
Keldon Johnson pitched in 16 points, five rebounds and
three assists. Patty Mills led San Antonio’s bench with 13
points, two rebounds and two assists as the spurs moved to 1-0 to start the
season.

Next Game

The Grizzlies will host Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks on
Saturday, Dec. 26, at 4 p.m. inside FedExForum. Fans can watch the game on
FOX Sports Southeast with Pete Pranica and Brevin Knight or hear Eric
Hasseltine on 92.9 FM ESPN.

Team Quotes

Player Notes

  • Ja Morant scored 34 of his 44 points tonight in the second half, tying Jaren Jackson Jr.'s franchise record for points in a single half. Jackson Jr. scored 34 points after in the second half vs. Milwaukee on Dec. 13, 2019.
  • Jonas Valanciunas posted a double-double with 15 points, 13 rebounds and two assists on 6-of-11 shooting. Valanciunas led the Grizzlies team last season with 39 double-doubles.
  • Dillon Brooks totaled 16 points (7-14 FG, 1-3 3P) to go with four rebounds and six assists in 33 minutes.
  • Desmond Bane made his Memphis Grizzlies debut, totaling six points and four rebounds in ten minutes off the bench.
  • DeMar DeRozan totaled 28 points (7-14 FG, 14-15 FT) to go with nine rebounds and nine assists to lead San Antonio.

Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies and purchase 2020-21 Season
Tickets can do so by calling
(901) 888-HOOP or going online
to
grizzlies.com. Single Game Tickets are available for purchase at the
FedExForum Box Office,
ticketmaster.com, online at
grizzlies.com
or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX.

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