UCF alum Taylor Hendricks explodes for career-highs, including five threes, showcasing a promising new spark for the Grizzlies.
"BOOOOM!" the Memphis Grizzlies (23-36) bench yelled when forward Taylor Hendricks hit his fourth three of the night in their 125-106 victory over the Indiana Pacers (15-46) at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Hendricks, the UCF alum and former Utah Jazz, dropped 19 points, five rebounds and five three-pointers (a career-high) off the bench. He had an efficient scoring night, shooting 7-for-11 overall and 5-for-8 from beyond the arc.
Last night's performance earned him the Player of the Game honor, and it showed flashes of his potential as a wing who can shoot the ball and defend at a high level, similar to New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby, whom Hendricks said he watches and models his game after.
"I feel like he's a wonderful defender," Hendricks said on The Chris Vernon Show. "That's what I feel like my game could get to for sure."
The newly acquired Grizzly from the shocking Jaren Jackson Jr. trade last month has found his footing in Memphis after struggling to regain the rotational minutes he once had in his rookie season with Utah.
In 10 games with his new team, Hendricks is averaging 10.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists on 47.1% overall and 38.5% from three-point range in 23.6 minutes.
His outbreak in a new scenario provides the Grizzlies with another young prospect to develop in a season marred by injuries to many of the team's starters.
Hendricks has eclipsed 10 points in the last four games — 11 points against the Dallas Mavericks, 14 points against the Golden State Warriors and 12 points against the Sacramento Kings — and has six 10-point outings with the Grizzlies.
After suffering a fractured right fibula and dislocated ankle that ended his 2024-25 campaign, Hendricks said he felt like himself a couple of games into this season.
"I'm like, 'All right, I'm not thinking about my ankle anymore,'" Hendricks told Vernon. "Like I'm just playing."
The UCF alum has flourished in a new environment, free from the mental shackles of a season-ending injury last season, and is regaining the confidence he displayed as a rookie with the Jazz.
Hendricks and the Grizzlies end their three-game road trip against the Minnesota Timberwolves (38-23) at 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Target Center.
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