Grizzlies stun Spurs in OT to finish 29-point comeback

The Memphis Grizzlies accomplished the most important comeback within the NBA this season, rallying from a 29-point deficit within the third quarter to beat the San Antonio Spurs 126-120 in extra time Friday night time.

Memphis confronted a nine-point deficit within the last minute of regulation earlier than outscoring San Antonio 9-0 to ship it to extra time.

“We came in at halftime, regrouped, talked about it,” mentioned Jaren Jackson Jr., who scored 28 factors. “Just came out firing [in the second half]. You chip away long enough, you’re going to make some noise.”

Desmond Bane added 21 factors, together with eight factors in extra time, and Tyus Jones had his first profession triple-double with 20 factors, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Grizzlies.

Friday’s comeback, which can be the most important in franchise historical past, topped the Brooklyn Nets’ 28-point comeback towards the Boston Celtics on March 3.

It got here as Ja Morant nears his return for Memphis. The All-Star guard missed his seventh sport as a part of an eight-game suspension for “conduct detrimental to the league.” Memphis improved to 4-3 with out Morant.

Devin Vassell had 25 factors and Zach Collins added 24 for San Antonio, which fell to 0-5 in extra time this season after being outscored 63-40 within the second half.

“We have been competitive all year,” Collins mentioned. “We shouldn’t have lost that game. We were up 30. We shouldn’t have lost.”

After trailing by 29, Memphis tied it at 109 on a 3-pointer by Dillon Brooks with 1.8 seconds remaining in regulation. Vassell’s desperation 36-foot heave didn’t attain the rim as regulation ended.

Brooks completed with 16 factors, whereas going 4-for-8 on 3-pointers.

“Our defense really clamped down down the stretch where we were trying to keep them off the boards,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins mentioned. “Couple of tough bounces, but we came up with enough plays down the stretch.”

San Antonio was with out key reserves Doug McDermott (bruised proper hip), Devonte’ Graham (sore left quadriceps) and Romeo Langford (managing injured left adductor) and misplaced Jeremy Sochan after eight minutes. Memphis was with out Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke.

“We got a little thin,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich mentioned. “And down the stretch, they made shots. They made three 3s in a row, give them credit for that. Great game, though. Learned a lot to compete as hard as we did. Proud of them. Did a good job.”

The Grizzlies referred to as two timeouts inside 37 seconds halfway via the primary quarter following a 3-pointer by Collins and one other by Vassell.

“Really started at halftime,” Jenkins mentioned. “We didn’t watch any film. I just opened up the floor to the players to talk and said, ‘What do you got for me?’ Four or five guys spoke up and said it was unacceptable what we were doing in the first half.

“We had been too informal, we weren’t speaking, we weren’t executing our coverages, we weren’t taking part in with physicality, we weren’t trusting the go.”

The Spurs shot 12-for-24 on 3-pointers within the first half in constructing a 25-point lead. But San Antonio shot 31% from the sector within the second half, together with 6-for-20 on 3-pointers, whereas committing 14 turnovers.

Brooks and Jackson mixed for 26 factors within the second half.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.