In a thrilling matchup on Thursday night, the Memphis Grizzlies secured a 116-103 victory over the visiting Indiana Pacers, with Desmond Bane stealing the spotlight by scoring 22 of his 31 points in the second half. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 21 points to contribute to the Grizzlies’ success.
Ja Morant, making his home debut this season after a 25-game suspension, showcased his skills with 20 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. Ziaire Williams chipped in 16 points, while Santi Aldama added 13, bolstering Memphis’ offensive prowess.
On the opposing side, Obi Toppin led the Indiana Pacers with 22 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their fifth loss in the last six games. Tyrese Haliburton made an impact with 17 points and 14 assists, while Myles Turner and Buddy Hield contributed 15 points each. Aaron Nesmith added 14 points to the Pacers’ tally.
Jaren Jackson Jr. played a pivotal role in securing the Grizzlies’ victory, converting a three-point play that extended Memphis’ lead to 105-88 with 5:59 remaining. This win marked Memphis’ second consecutive victory following a challenging five-game losing streak.
Memphis displayed an impressive shooting performance, hitting 51.8 percent from the field and making 16 of 35 three-point attempts (45.7 percent). The Grizzlies’ triumph at home was only their second in 13 games this season.
Despite entering the game as the league’s top-scoring team at 128 points per game, the Pacers were held to a season-low point total by Memphis’ resolute defense.
Jaren Jackson Jr. set the tone for Memphis in the opening quarter, scoring 14 points and establishing a 35-22 lead. The Grizzlies maintained their dominance, extending the lead to 52-29 midway through the second quarter. However, the Pacers rallied with a 27-6 run, cutting the deficit to 58-56 at halftime.
The game remained competitive in the third quarter, with the Pacers briefly taking the lead at 65-62 on Haliburton’s 3-pointer. However, Memphis responded, and a late 3-pointer by Ziaire Williams secured an 86-77 lead for the Grizzlies heading into the final quarter, where Bane continued to shine with 13 points.
Memphis’ victory extended their winning streak against the Indiana Pacers to five consecutive meetings. Despite Indiana’s efforts, they connected on 42.2 percent of their shots, including 18 of 52 (34.6 percent) from beyond the arc.
The Grizzlies’ resilient performance and Bane’s second-half heroics showcased their ability to overcome challenges, offering fans an exhilarating display of NBA basketball on Thursday night.
