The Memphis Grizzlies pulled off a significant road victory Wednesday night, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-110 at Target Center in a game where both teams were missing their star players. With Ja Morant sidelined by a left ankle sprain, Jaren Jackson Jr. stepped up with 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead a balanced Memphis attack that handed Minnesota only its second loss in nine games.
The Timberwolves, playing without All-Star guard Anthony Edwards for the third straight game due to a foot injury, couldn't overcome shooting struggles and 17 turnovers despite strong performances from Julius Randle (21 points) and Rudy Gobert (16 points, 16 rebounds). The victory marked Memphis's fourth win in their last five games and moved them to 13-14 on the season, while Minnesota fell to 17-10.
How Jackson and Landale Powered Grizzlies Past Shorthanded Wolves
With their franchise cornerstone Ja Morant watching from the sidelines, the Memphis Grizzlies needed someone to fill the scoring void. Jaren Jackson Jr. answered the call with one of his best performances of the season, pouring in 28 points on efficient shooting while also grabbing 12 rebounds and playing stellar interior defense. The 25-year-old forward-center showcased his complete offensive arsenal, scoring from the post, hitting mid-range jumpers, and connecting from beyond the arc.
Equally important was the contribution of reserve center Jock Landale, who delivered a career-best performance with 20 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Landale's impact was particularly felt from three-point range, where he hit a career-high four three-pointers, including a crucial shot with 1:09 remaining that extended Memphis's lead to 109-103.
"Jaren was phenomenal tonight, but what Jock gave us off the bench was the difference in the game," Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said after the game. "When you lose a player of Ja's caliber, you need multiple guys to step up, and we got that across the board."
The supporting cast indeed delivered for Memphis. Rookie Jaylen Wells continued his strong play with 17 points, while Cedric Coward added 13 and veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope contributed 12. Santi Aldama, while scoring just 4 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and provided solid defense against Minnesota's frontcourt.
For Minnesota, the absence of Anthony Edwards' scoring punch proved costly. The Timberwolves shot just 40% from the field and 30% from three-point range, with multiple key players struggling. Randle went 9-for-21, Donte DiVincenzo 6-for-16, and Naz Reid 6-for-16. Despite Gobert's dominant rebounding performance, the Wolves couldn't overcome their offensive inconsistencies.
Timeline: The Grizzlies' Comeback Victory Unfolds
The game followed a narrative of momentum swings, with Memphis ultimately seizing control with a decisive third-quarter run. Here's how the key moments unfolded:
- First Quarter (27-27): Both teams started slowly, with Minnesota relying on second-chance points (11 of their 27 points) to stay even despite shooting 39% from the field.
- Second Quarter (62-61 Minnesota): The Timberwolves' bench provided a spark, with Naz Reid scoring 11 first-half points. However, Jaren Jackson Jr. kept Memphis close with 17 points before halftime.
- Third Quarter, 6:30 remaining (76-67 Minnesota): Minnesota opened their largest lead of the game at nine points, appearing to take control behind Donte DiVincenzo's hot shooting.
- Third Quarter, 2:57 remaining (81-76 Memphis): The game's decisive turning point came during a 14-0 Memphis run. Six different Grizzlies scored during the surge, capped by three-pointers from Landale, Caldwell-Pope, and Jackson.
- Fourth Quarter, 7:10 remaining (96-94 Memphis): Naz Reid's three-point play brought Minnesota within two, but the Wolves could never regain the lead.
- Fourth Quarter, 1:09 remaining (109-103 Memphis): Jock Landale's career-high fourth three-pointer gave Memphis crucial breathing room.
- Fourth Quarter, 47 seconds remaining (111-103 Memphis): Jackson's floater essentially sealed the victory.
- Final: 116-110 Memphis: Jaylen Wells made key free throws in the closing seconds to secure the six-point win.
Why This Win Matters for Both Teams' Playoff Push
Beyond the immediate result, Wednesday night's game carried significant implications for both teams' positioning in the competitive Western Conference playoff race. For Memphis, the victory demonstrated their resilience and depth—qualities that will be essential as they navigate injuries and compete for a postseason berth.
"This is exactly the type of win that can define a season," said ESPN analyst Doris Burke. "When you can go on the road, without your best player, and beat a team that's been playing as well as Minnesota has, that sends a message to the entire league. The Grizzlies showed they're more than just Ja Morant."
The statistics tell a compelling story of Memphis's evolution. The Grizzlies have now won seven of their last nine games and are playing their best basketball of the season. Their defense, which held Minnesota to 40% shooting, has improved significantly during this stretch, while their offensive balance—five players averaging double figures during the win streak—makes them difficult to defend.
For Minnesota, the loss exposed concerning trends that could hinder their aspirations of climbing the Western Conference standings. The Timberwolves' reliance on Anthony Edwards became painfully apparent, as their offense stagnated without his shot creation and playmaking. Coach Chris Finch didn't mince words after the game, calling aspects of his team's performance "awful" and "horrendous."
"We've been finding ways to win even when we're not at our best, but tonight that caught up with us," Finch told reporters. "The turnovers, the poor shooting—you can't have those kinds of performances against good teams and expect to win."
The game also highlighted the importance of health for both franchises. With the playoffs still months away, managing injuries to star players will be critical. Memphis showed they can survive short-term absences from Morant, while Minnesota must prove they can win consistently without Edwards, especially as they face a difficult stretch of their schedule.
Where Things Stand: Injury Updates and Standings Impact
Following Wednesday's game, both teams provided updates on their injured stars. For Memphis, Ja Morant's left ankle sprain is considered day-to-day, with the team optimistic he could return for Saturday's home game against Washington. The guard suffered the injury during Monday's victory over the Clippers but has shown positive signs in his recovery.
Minnesota's situation appears more concerning. Anthony Edwards is now dealing with his third consecutive absence due to right foot soreness. While the team has described it as "injury maintenance" rather than a serious structural issue, the extended absence raises questions about his availability for Friday's crucial matchup against Oklahoma City.
"Ant is making progress, but we're going to be cautious with this," Timberwolves head athletic trainer told the Star Tribune. "Foot injuries with players of his caliber require careful management."
In the standings, the victory moved Memphis to 13-14, just one game below .500 and within striking distance of the play-in tournament positions. The Grizzlies now trail the eighth-place team by just two games in the loss column. Minnesota, despite the loss, remains firmly in playoff position at 17-10 but missed an opportunity to gain ground on Denver (19-6) for the Northwest Division lead.
Brandon Clarke's season debut provided another positive storyline for Memphis. The forward, who hadn't played since March due to knee injuries, contributed 6 points and 3 rebounds in 18 minutes. His return adds another dimension to Memphis's frontcourt rotation and could prove valuable as the season progresses.
What Happens Next: Crucial Matchups Ahead
Both teams face immediate tests that will reveal whether Wednesday's result was an anomaly or indicative of larger trends. For Memphis, the schedule presents an opportunity to build momentum with a favorable homestand.
The Grizzlies will host the struggling Washington Wizards (10-17) on Saturday night at FedExForum. With Morant potentially returning, Memphis will look to extend their winning streak and move above .500 for the first time this season. Following that, they face a challenging road game against the Milwaukee Bucks before returning home to face Phoenix.
Minnesota's path is considerably more difficult. The Timberwolves host the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder (24-2) on Friday night in what now becomes a must-win game to avoid a two-game skid. After that, they embark on a three-game road trip featuring matchups against Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio—all teams fighting for playoff position.
"The schedule doesn't get any easier from here," said Timberwolves veteran Mike Conley, who missed his third straight game with Achilles tendinopathy but is reportedly "getting closer" to a return. "We need to regroup quickly because OKC is playing as well as anyone in the league right now."
Key Takeaways from the Grizzlies' Statement Win
- Depth matters: Memphis proved they have multiple players capable of stepping up when stars are sidelined, a crucial attribute for playoff contention.
- Jackson's emergence: Jaren Jackson Jr. demonstrated he can be a primary option when needed, scoring efficiently while maintaining his defensive intensity.
- Minnesota's Edwards dependence: The Timberwolves' offensive struggles without Anthony Edwards highlight their need for more consistent secondary scoring.
- Third-quarter execution: Memphis's 14-0 run changed the game's trajectory, showcasing their ability to respond to adversity on the road.
- Playoff implications: Both teams remain in the thick of the Western Conference race, but Memphis gained valuable ground while Minnesota missed an opportunity.
As the NBA season approaches its midpoint, games like Wednesday's contest often prove pivotal in defining team identities and playoff trajectories. For Memphis, the victory reinforced their resilience and potential. For Minnesota, it served as a wake-up call about the challenges of sustaining success in a loaded conference. With both teams navigating injury concerns and facing critical upcoming matchups, how they respond in the coming days will reveal much about their postseason aspirations.
