Grizzlies fight off Timberwolves' late surge, snapping skid with resilient team effort and crucial late-game execution.
The Memphis Grizzlies have rarely been afforded comfort this season, so even with a double-digit lead, Monday night never felt finished until the final horn sounded.
Memphis led for most of the night, absorbed multiple Minnesota pushes, and still had enough composure and execution late to secure a 137-128 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Feb. 2 at FedExForum. The victory snapped a six-game losing streak for the Grizzlies and offered a glimpse of what the team can look like when its pieces align.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 30 points as Memphis improved to 19-29. Ty Jerome continued an impressive start to his Memphis tenure with 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes, while Jaylen Wells scored 18 and Cam Spencer and Vince Williams Jr. added 16 apiece.
Anthony Edwards paced Minnesota with 39 points and seven rebounds, but the Timberwolves were never able to fully erase the deficit despite consistent fourth-quarter pressure.
The Grizzlies’ response was rooted in energy and intent, something Jackson said was evident from the opening tip.
“Energy level from the beginning of the game to the end of the game,” Jackson said. “Just from everybody. Good team effort. We had to come out there with that fight. That intensity looked great.”
Memphis shot 47.8 percent from the field in the first half and leaned heavily on improved three-point shooting after struggling from deep two nights earlier in Minnesota. The Grizzlies led 66-58 at halftime and pushed the advantage to 98-86 after three quarters, then opened the fourth with four straight made shots to briefly stretch the margin to 20.
The ability to hold that cushion late has been elusive this season, but Jackson said the mindset never shifted toward comfort.
“You gotta stay locked in. You gotta stay tense. Can’t get comfortable,” Jackson said. “I don’t think we did at all. I don’t think I was comfortable even with 40 seconds left up 10. That’s the mentality you gotta have every night.”
For head coach Tuomas Iisalo, the win reflected more than a one-night correction. He pointed instead to a longer process shaped by travel, injuries, and limited practice time.
“I think it’s a longer process than just last game,” Iisalo said. “The past few weeks have been very, very physically taxing with the travel and the game schedule, and also emotionally. When we were in Europe, there was a lot of extra stuff going on around.”
“Now, for the past maybe week or so, we’ve been able to again start to practice,” Iisalo said. “The guys’ commitment has been great, but it never happens right away. There have been some positive developments, and if you guys saw how the guys worked today in shootaround and how they’re going about their craft, it’s pretty impressive.”
Jerome’s controlled minutes were part of a deliberate plan, especially with the game tightening late.
“We discussed this in the pregame about the communication between the different parties,” Iisalo said. “We had a couple of different scenarios, and one was exactly this—that we are well in the game or leading in the game and want to preserve those last two to three minutes for him so that he can come in and close the game as somebody who’s very sure with the ball and knows how to make those decisions.”
Iisalo also highlighted Jackson’s impact on both ends, particularly with the expanded offensive options his presence provides.
“Having Ty back, having that connection, having a few guys who are playing really well offensively, and then having Jaren’s package on top of that really helped us,” Iisalo said. “Defensively, he made some huge plays, which he always does. It’s great to have him back.”
Jerome said the win carried meaning, even as the team stays focused on process.
“It felt great,” Jerome said. “Obviously getting trips back, getting some guys back. We just did the right things more today.”
“Just a little better defensively. Fewer mental mistakes,” Jerome said. “We’re just fixing things up.”
“Just being aggressive,” Jerome said when asked about his early production. “My coaches and teammates are doing a great job putting me in spots to be successful. Just being aggressive and taking what the defense gives me.”
Minnesota, which had beaten Memphis 131-114 two nights earlier, saw its four-game winning streak end despite strong individual performances. The Timberwolves never got closer than nine points in the final minutes.
For Memphis, the win was overdue, but not viewed as a destination.
“Yeah. I mean, it just feels like finally,” Iisalo said. “I think we were due. We played some good basketball during that stretch… There are no shortcuts. Those things atrophy when you don’t practice, and especially with a young team, we’ve got to try to maintain that.”
The Grizzlies will look to build on the result when they open a five-game road trip Wednesday in Sacramento.