This Game Is Why the Word ‘Jaw-Dropping’ Exists

MINNEAPOLIS — The job was almost finished, and Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane looked out across the court, flashed a triumphant smile and wiggled his eyebrows.

The Grizzlies had overcome not just one, but two deficits exceeding 20 points. They were trailing by 26 points in the second quarter. The Timberwolves’ defense pushed them around, but they fought back and reduced the deficit to 7 at the half. They were able to do it thanks to a 15-0 run that included three 3-pointers by Bane.

But it didn’t stick.

The Grizzlies trailed by 25 with 3:10 left in the third quarter, and Coach Taylor Jenkins screamed “one possession” through the deafening roar in the building. He reminded his players to concentrate on each possession, not the daunting deficit.

Each Grizzlies’ stop made the arena quieter. They outscored the Timberwolves, 50-16, over the rest of the game, again with Bane’s help from deep and an unyielding defensive effort that allowed only 12 fourth-quarter points.

The result was beyond what they expected after years of Timberwolves futility. The Grizzlies love to boast when they’ve earned it, and Thursday night they certainly did.

“I ain’t never been down 20 twice and won,” Bane said. “It was just a weird game. It was a weird game.”

The attention that comes the Grizzlies’ way often focuses on Ja Morant, the effervescent 22-year-old point guard whose dunks seem to be aided by a pogo stick. Morant has spent the entire season trying to get more attention for his team.

The Grizzlies defeated the Timberwolves 104-95 on Thursday night to take a two-game lead in their best of seven first-round series in Western Conference. Morant had more ammunition to campaign for his teammates. They won despite the fact that Morant, Jaren Jack Jr. and Dillon Brooks were only 11 of 38 players on the field after they started.

“They deserve a lot more respect and recognition for what they do for us on the floor,” Morant said of his teammates as he sat next to Tyus Jones, his backup. “Like you said, us three struggled, but that’s why we got this guy alongside of me and the rest of our teammates to be there to pick us up. That’s why we’re really the deepest team in the league and we’re so good.”

The Grizzlies were not the first to show their ability to succeed when key players were absent or struggling.

Morant missed 25 games during the regular season, and the Grizzlies won only five of them. Memphis won despite having four starters against Phoenix Suns (league-leading) on April 1.

Bane didn’t play in that game against the Suns, but he has been a major reason for the Grizzlies’ success this season. He was drafted 30th overall in 2020 and has gone from being a role player in his rookie year to a starter this year — from averaging 9.2 points a game to 18.2 points a game this regular season.

“Last year I kind of felt like I was learning all year long, trying to learn, absorb as much information as I can so I could apply it in years to come,” Bane said in an interview Thursday morning. “Obviously, I’m still learning. I’m a young player, but I have a different role so I’m being extremely aggressive and having fun.”

Bane scored 17 points in the Grizzlies’ Game 1 loss to the Timberwolves and 16 in their Game 2 win. He led all scorers on Thursday with 26 points. Game 4 is Saturday.

The series pits two young teams with little playoff experience, but full of confidence against each other. The Grizzlies ranked second in the league with a record of 105-96. The Timberwolves were able to force their way into playoffs with a late push.

The Grizzlies lost their first round playoff game. This was the moment that a reminder of last season was helpful. They had defeated Utah in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. Utah won the four remaining games.

When Morant was asked pregame if he would like to steal a win from the Timberwolves on their home court, he said, “I want to steal two.”

Morant was equally clear when asked why he enjoys road games so much.

“Sending their fans home mad,” he said.

The Timberwolves fans booed Morant every time he touched the ball, and Minnesota’s defense prioritized stopping him. It did, relative to his usual performances. Morant, who averaged 27.4 per game in the regular-season, scored just 16 points on Thursday. He was happy with the win. Morant asked for his ball and threw it into the rafters.

Jones, whom Morant introduced as “Point God” after the game, scored 11 points with 4 assists and 5 rebounds.

Brandon Clarke scored 20 and took the podium, after Jones and Morant. Morant chided Clarke for concealing his jewelry under his shirt as they crossed paths. Morant wanted him shining.

This young Grizzlies team’s early playoff baptism is likely to pay off in the future as they progress in their careers.

“This is the best player development you can get,” Memphis Coach Taylor Jenkins said. He added: “The mental focus that you’ve got to have. We are proud of our attention to detail all season. Game plan discipline, night after night. That’s all the work that our guys put in. When you get to this level and you’re playing high stakes game to game, ups and downs. Just staying even keeled throughout.”

Bane is acutely aware of how bizarre his first two seasons in N.B.A. These were the best seasons of their careers. Not everyone can be a part of a young team that has the potential to make an immediate impact on the team and go on to the playoffs.

“Some players go their whole career without ever making the playoffs,” Bane said Thursday morning. “And for me to be able to do it my first two years in the league, I don’t want anything else. I want to get to the playoffs every year.”

His face was brightened by a smile as he said it, and reflected on the future.

Bane thinks bigger in the short-term.

“We want to make some noise in this postseason,” Bane said. “We want to make a run. It’s obviously exciting times, and we’re confident about where we’re at and what we’ve done, but there’s still a lot to be done.”