Rookie Cedric Coward ignited a ferocious 9-0 finish, stifling Kawhi Leonard and powering the Grizzlies' stunning victory.
The Memphis Grizzlies closed with a 9-0 run and leaned on a poised rookie to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 107-98 on Friday night, continuing a surge that has seen them win six of their last eight.
Memphis’ poise in the final minutes was a stark contrast from earlier stretches this season, something Jock Landale said reflects a team finally growing into itself after a hectic start. He noted that chemistry — once lagging behind the schedule — has begun to drive results.
“Anytime you have a team whose camaraderie is through the roof — at least in my experience — typically things happen better on the court as well,” Landale said. “The ego leaves the building when it feels like it’s a connected group.”
That connection showed in the fourth quarter, where rookie Cedric Coward delivered four points and a crucial steal in the closing 2:17 as Memphis shut out the Clippers over the final 3:40. Coward finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds, a performance rooted in a defensive mindset he said he has been working to elevate.
“It goes back to learning from our mistakes, learning from those times where we haven’t played great defensively,” Coward said. “I know me as an individual — I have to take defense more personally on certain possessions, and I think I’ve done better with that.”
The Clippers, who have now dropped nine of 11, were led by Kawhi Leonard’s 24 points and James Harden’s 18. But Leonard scored only four in the final quarter, and Harden’s two free throws at the 3:40 mark were Los Angeles’ last points of the night.
Memphis countered with a series of decisive plays. Jaylen Wells pushed the Grizzlies ahead for good when he converted a fastbreak dunk to make it 100-98, then Jackson Jr. and Coward added baskets as the lead widened to six. Wells, who scored 17, said the team has been determined not to repeat earlier late-game lapses.
“That was the biggest thing,” Wells said. “We’ve had games where we didn’t do that — where we didn’t get stops at the end of the game and that killed us. Being able to end the game with those stops and getting those buckets was definitely a big step in the right direction.”
Head coach Tuomas Iisalo, who has stressed defensive discipline all season, said the Grizzlies’ ability to adapt their schemes based on personnel is beginning to mature.
“The combination of focus, alertness, and very high effort — a very gritty performance in that regard,” Iisalo said. “We are really valuing every possession, and that speaks to the trust and commitment of the guys.”
Memphis’ growth also reflects the return of Zach Edey and the increased versatility that different frontcourt combinations have provided. Coward credited that depth for giving the Grizzlies more ways to pressure opponents.
“Having Zach back helps because now we can give teams a whole bunch of different looks,” Coward said. “When he’s not down there, you have to take advantage of that and keep going after the ball.”
The balance showed early as Memphis shot 56.4% in the first half, with Cam Spencer scoring 10 of his 17 points before the break and Wells erupting in the third quarter. His eight straight points during a 10-2 run pushed Memphis ahead 72-64 before the game tightened again in the fourth.
Still, this time the Grizzlies didn’t flinch.
Iisalo said the team’s fourth-quarter execution is becoming a reflection of its identity — one forged on shared purpose, sharper detail, and the confidence that follows meaningful growth.
“We’re getting to the point where guys are able to adjust their behavior based on who they are playing with,” Iisalo said. “That makes us tougher to play.”
Memphis hosts Portland on Sunday as its climb in the standings continues.