Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies were on a mission in Game 3 of Playoffs Round 1 to take the series lead and beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have proven a formidable opponent. Though, it seems as if the Grizzlies have a big brother edge on the Timberwolves. 

Grizzlies shooting guard Desmond Bane made seven 3-pointers and had 26 points while Memphis overcame a 26-point deficit to beat Minnesota 104-95 on April 21. In addition to taking the series lead, the Grizzlies tied their franchise record for biggest comeback victory, down by 26 early in the second quarter. 

A noticeable performance by Grizzlies power forward Brandon Clarke, he scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half for Memphis, which was during the exciting 50-16 run of the last 13 minutes of the game. Morant, who had the franchise’s first postseason triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, did so in spectacular fashion, but told reporters he felt as if he needed to “play better.” 

Point guard D’Angelo Russell was key to Minnesota’s third-quarter surge as he shot around the court for 22 points and 8 assists. Even so, the Wolves were outscored 23-12 in the second quarter and 37-12 in the fourth, ultimately canceling out the great basketball played by the Timberwolves in the first and third quarters. 

At this point, center Karl-Anthony Towns is having a hard time staying out of foul trouble long enough to make a difference for the Timberwolves. Towns had 6 points over the final three quarters of Game 2. Timberwolves Coach Chris Finch said to reporters “They swarm him everywhere.” The Timberwolves, going into the postseason as the NBA’s highest-scoring team, only made 30 field goals in Game 2, a season low. In Game 3, they only hit 33. 

While beef is happening on the court, it’s always fun to see that people still love the game for what it is. The fathers of both Ja Morant and Karl-Anthony Towns have made it a point to support their superstar sons of the opposite team, including some friendly trash talk. After all, what dad doesn’t think his son is the best.

First Round · Game 3 · Grizzlies lead series 2-1

Grizzlies

56-26

Apr 21 · Final

104 – 95

Timberwolves

46-36