The Memphis Grizzlies secured a thrilling 129-125 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, marking their second consecutive win. The Grizzlies' Cam Spencer and Ty Jerome shone brightly, with Spencer hitting crucial baskets late in the fourth quarter and finishing with 20 points, and Jerome contributing 28 points. This triumph, however, came at a cost for the Kings, who suffered their season-worst 10th straight loss. Spencer's three-point shot with 2:08 left in the fourth quarter was a pivotal moment, extending the Grizzlies' lead to 122-118. His subsequent 16-foot jumper and another three-pointer with 18 seconds remaining sealed the deal, ensuring a four-point lead and the win.
The Grizzlies' recent trade activity, including the Jaren Jackson Jr. deal with the Utah Jazz and discussions surrounding star guard Ja Morant, adds an intriguing layer to their performance. The team's dynamic was further enhanced by the return of Santi Aldama, who contributed 12 points and six rebounds after missing four games due to a right knee injury. The Grizzlies' victory also marked their first game since the trade deadline, which falls on Thursday afternoon.
For the Kings, the loss extended their losing streak to 10 games, with their last win dating back to January 16 against Washington, the final game of a four-game winning streak. Domantas Sabonis led the Kings with 24 points and 15 rebounds, while DeMar DeRozan, Nique Clifford, Russell Westbrook, and Malik Monk also contributed. Westbrook, in particular, made NBA history by moving into 14th place on the career scoring list with a 3-pointer in the first quarter, surpassing Hakeem Olajuwon's 26,946 points.
The Kings' recent trade acquisition, De'Andre Hunter, made his Sacramento debut, scoring nine points, including a three-pointer. The Grizzlies' upcoming schedule includes a trip to Portland on Friday and Saturday night, while the Kings will host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
This game highlighted the Grizzlies' resilience and the Kings' struggles, leaving both teams with important decisions as the trade deadline approaches.
