How the Memphis Grizzlies made franchise history Wednesday night
The 2021-22 campaign for the Memphis Grizzlies could be described as a year of firsts. Point guard Ja Morant started in his first All-Star Game while Desmond Bane claimed first place in franchise history for made threes in a single season, surpassing Mike Miller (2006-07). However, the most important feat the Beale Street Bears have […]
The 2021-22 campaign for the Memphis Grizzlies could be described as a year of firsts. Point guard Ja Morant started in his first All-Star Game while Desmond Bane claimed first place in franchise history for made threes in a single season, surpassing Mike Miller (2006-07).
However, the most important feat the Beale Street Bears have accomplished on the season came Wednesday night. By downing the San Antonio Spurs 112-111, the Grizzlies clinched its first Southwest Division title in franchise history. Memphis secured the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference in doing so.
This season has arguably been the most memorable regular season in Memphis’ history. Grizzlies fans have witnessed Morant soaring through the air dunking over defenders and hoisting up jaw-dropping buzzer beaters.
Bane has grown up in front of the entire city’s eyes while Jaren Jackson Jr. leads the league in blocks and is in pole position for the Defensive Player of the Year award. With as strong of a resumé as there has been in the NBA, head coach Taylor Jenkins could possibly come away with some hardware of his own.
Through all of the success, the Grizzlies have managed to stay hungry. The Larry O’Brien NBA Championship trophy is every team’s goal entering the season but, for the first time in a while the Grizzlies have a legitimate shot at obtaining basketball’s ultimate prize.
The one thing missing from Wednesday’s division-clinching victory was Morant. Still working through the recovery process from a tweaked knee, the Grizzlies’ unquestioned emotional leader watched from the bench.
Morant has missed a total of 21 games this season, but the Grizzlies know that there is strength in numbers. While many teams across the league would falter without its superstar, especially one who is averaging 27.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 6.7 APG, Memphis has defied the odds.
With the win over the Spurs, the Grizzlies moved to 19-2 on the season without Morant available in the lineup. Contributions from role players such as De’Anthony Melton, Tyus Jones, and Brandon Clarke provide a layer of depth that so few teams in the league enjoy.
Sights now shift to the NBA Playoffs, where Memphis has struggled in the recent past. The Grizzlies have not won a playoff series since the 2014-15 season with a roster that included Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and Vince Carter. It’s been a while, Grizzlies fans.
In this season of firsts for the Grizzlies, who is to say this team can’t go all the way? Sure, the average age of this team is just 24 years old, but this group doesn’t back down from anybody.
As Memphis shifts gears into the postseason, it is the perfect time to remember what Morant said after a hard-fought win against the New York Knicks in February,
“Ain’t no running in the M, man. We climb up the chimney. We ain’t ducking no smoke, man.”
Featured image via Daniel Dunn – USA TODAY Sports
