The Grizzlies came out on top in a hard-fought battle against the Kings, showcasing their trademark hustle, cohesive defense, and luxury of depth en route to a 115-110 Memphis victory. Memphis forced 22 turnovers, converting them into 29 points, while the Kings managed only 13 turnovers for 15 points. The Grizz also moved the ball more effectively, racking up 27 assists compared to the Kings’ 19. The turnover struggles and ball movement advantage translated to better shot selection and a higher shooting percentage. Meanwhile, the Kings struggled offensively, shooting under 40%, with De’Aaron Fox and DeMar DeRozan both having off nights. Fox went 8-23 from the field and 0-7 from deep, though he made up for it with stellar defense, tying his career high with six steals. DeRozan’s game was a snapshot of his season—hitting tough mid-range shots, missing others, drawing fouls, but often stalling the offense.
Memphis demonstrated why they’re a top three seed in the West despite dealing with injuries. Their depth shone through, led by Jay Huff, was a game-changing +30 off the bench with dominant defense and impressive highlight plays, including his patent reverse dunks, male pattern baldness, and seemingly effortless three-pointers. Huff’s swagger, along with Marcus Smart’s 18 points (4-8 from deep) and contributions from three other bench players in double figures, helped seal the win.
The Kings have little time to regroup as they face the Spurs in San Antonio Friday.
Rotation Regression
Mike Brown expanded to a 10-man rotation tonight after sticking with a tight 8-man group against the Rockets on Tuesday. Surprisingly, Jordan McLaughlin and Keon Ellis played just 3 and 2 minutes, respectively. Keon got two brief stints in the second half, both lasting only a minute. While Jordan is serviceable as a third point guard, there’s no reason Fox or Monk shouldn’t always run the point.
Jae Crowder was a midseason pickup from the scrap heap, but he’s been largely ineffective. Tonight, in 13 minutes, he managed 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal, shooting 0-4 from the field. Those minutes would be better given to Keon, who’s been the team’s most reliable three-point shooter outside Malik and brings energy and strong defensive instincts.
Silver Lining
Isaac Jones continues to impress whenever he gets minutes. Though he made a few errors tonight, including a turnover and unnecessary fouls, his heart, intensity, and incredible hustle stand out—he’s lightning on the court.
Malik’s move to the starting five has been a game-changer, adding a fresh dynamic and helping establish an identity for a team severely lacking one. The lineup now boasts multiple playmakers who can attack in various ways—the deadly Domas-Monk pick-and-roll, Monk’s quick outlets to Fox in transition, and his step-back threes that bring much-needed spacing to a team struggling with consistent shooting.
Game Journal
First Quarter Fumble
- 11:00: Starting Monk is a real difference maker, speeding up the pace and getting Fox off-ball early.
- 9:30: It’s knotted at 6, and both teams are attacking the rim with minimal resistance.
- 8:16: Sac native Jaylen Wells shows his versatility early, driving for foul shots and draining a smooth three. Plus, his buoyant fro is truly intimidating.
- 6:25: Beautiful ball movement—Monk fires a laser to Domas in the post for free throws. Kings lead 21-19.
- 4:39: Kings dodge a bullet as Smart’s three is waived off for stepping out. A lack of turnovers is already a concerning theme.
- 2:52: Mike Brown calls a timeout as Kings escape multiple missed open threes by Memphis. They’re up 28-24, but defensive lapses are glaring.
- 0:00: Memphis closes the quarter on a 12-4 run, taking a 1-point lead. Brown rolls with an odd lineup—Jones, Crowder, McLaughlin, Murray, and Huerter. It’s clear the lack of chemistry tanked ball movement and spacing.
Second Quarter Scarries
- 11:00: Ja bricks another three (now 0-4 from deep). He’s been a non-factor so far.
- 8:26: Kings respond with a lineup of Monk, Fox, Huerter, Keegan, and Domas. Ball movement sharp, defense locked in. They lead 43-38.
- 7:24: Back-to-back threes from DeMar and Keegan spark a 9-point lead (49-40). My fist pump scared my puppy, Boogie.
- 7:02: Keegan swats Ja at the rim—he’s becoming an underrated rim protector. Those who have doubted him as of late should stay silent.
- 5:09: Malik stays hot, hitting his third consecutive three! Kings now on a 20-6 run.
- 1:10: Memphis counters with a Jay Huff-led 14-4 run, capped by one of his signature reverse dunks. Kings cling to a 60-58 lead.
- 0:00: Memphis ends the half strong, pushing a 19-6 rally to snag a 63-62 lead. Neither Fox nor Ja has made much of an impact yet. The game feels like it’ll hinge on which star steps up first.
Third Quarter Tease
- 8:45: Fox takes and misses a tough step-back jumper. Honestly can’t recall his last make.
- 7:00: On defense, Fox forces back-to-back turnovers, but Kings can’t capitalize.
- 6:59: Finally, Keon Ellis checks in! Seems someone reminded Brown he’s still on the roster.
- 6:22: Fox breaks free, hitting a turnaround jumper over Ja to put the Kings up 76-71. If he finds his rhythm, this game is ours to win.
- 3:00: Cold streak hits—no buckets in three minutes. Keon and Jones are subbed out for Crowder and DeMar, whose forced shots are killing offensive flow.
- 2:25: Memphis surges on a 15-0 run, flipping the game to an 86-78 lead.
- 0:00: Fox awakens, igniting a personal 6-0 run to tie it at 86 heading into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter Misery
- 10:00: Fox is everywhere on defense, stripping players and locking down the perimeter. His four steals fuel a Kings comeback.
- 8:10: Crowder gets blocked at the rim—still waiting for him to contribute anything. Game tied 94-94.
- 6:45: DeMar’s foul-hunting drags the pace but pays off—Ja picks up a second technical and gets ejected. Kings regain a slim 99-98 lead after DeMar’s free throws.
- 2:08: Fox’s sixth steal sets up a Monk triple to cut the deficit to 110-108.
- 0:00: Despite Fox’s late-game heroics, the Kings fall short. Final score, Grizzlies 115-110.
Entertaining game, really an echo of what’s been ailing the Kings all season. Inconsistent offense from Fox, weird lineups by Brown, Domas not getting the ball when it counts, 3pt shooting like the 82-83 Cleveland Cavaliers. The Kings played well enough to win this game if we just hit 1-2 more shots at key moments.
Know who is shooting 44% from 3 this season? Keon Ellis. Just saying…..
Per NBA Stats, net rating for 5-man lineups—DeRozan, Sabonis, Fox, Murray
with Huerter 6.6
with Monk 14.3
with Ellis 27.2
LOL, it’s like Brown bases all his decision on the printed simple box score he’s handed at the end of the game to go into his presser.
Let’s say it like it is. Keegan and Heurter are bricklayers this season from 3. We’re over a quarter into the season. I’m not betting they all of a sudden start hitting. Keegan is still a plus everywhere else on the Court. Bench Heurter and play Keon.
Yeah, Keegan is doing a lot of other things that make him extremely valuable on the court, which is why his net rating is one of the best on the team. Huerter…not so much.
yeah it’s just ridiculous at this point, maybe he wants to be fired for free paychecks??
We can – and should! – point fingers at Monte for the lack of depth, but part of the meagre bench contributions are on Brown.
He’s constantly dicking around with his lineups and rotations, and except for about 6 guys, nobody knows what expected of him on a night to night basis.
It’s easy to say “stay ready”, but harder to do. Jack, who has been coaching for 84 years can back me on that.
And when guys like McLaughlin and Robinson barely get an extended stretch of games with serious playing time (hell even Keon), it’s hard to get into a rhythm and gain confidence etc.
If you want guys to reward the trust you put in them, you first have to bestow that trust upon them and let them play through mistakes.
As the going gets tougher, Brown’s circle of trust seems to get smaller.
Nailed it! MB’s bench rotations are all over the place and reeks of desperation.
I do think he should be tinkering with his bench minutes but in a more controlled way. I saw stretches of 4 bench guys with Keegan out there, just a wacky lineup.
Yes.
I am no expert, but how hard can it be to have at least one of Fox, Monk, DDR or Domas on the floor at any time? You need to have your best creators out there.
Sigh… MB is only playing I Jones now because Lyles is out. Once Lyles returns to the team, Isaac again gets glued to the bench.
FIFY
Ellis plays two minutes, doesn’t take a shot, leads the team with a +5 box score plus/minus.
But why play your best shooter and defender when you can watch Huerter clank a half-dozen threes?
Memphis didn’t win because of their depth, they won because they decided to actually utilize it.
I don’t even know if Keon touched the ball. He came in for 59 seconds in the 3rd quarter and 75 seconds in the 4th quarter. It was almost like he was just a place holder for someone until Brown made another quick change.
I’m not sure he did either. He defended for a few possessions, then was yanked because reasons.
It was actually the other way around. Grizzlies had 22 turnovers leading to 29 points for the Kings. It was one of the few things that kept them in the game.
I was still working that out in my head, so thanks for confirming my vague suspicion.
Well, I usually learn a lot from you.
I’d be remiss in not letting you know that I frequently make shit up.
Brown is just dicking Keon around, potentially destroying his development. How he doesn’t get fired, over this alone, astounds me
why are Huerter and Keegan’s shooting numbers identical for the last three years? 2 years ago: 40-41%. last year: 36%. this year: 27-28%.
if the team can diagnose and correct that, they’re a playoff team.
Same coach?
that has to be part of the problem, but I’m looking for possible solutions without a midseason blow-up.
I personally think two years ago, plays were called for them, now the are just opportunistic catch and shoot players of kick outs by the 3 iso players in Fox, Monk, and DeMar.
they can and should make those also at a good percentage, right?
You’d think. Maybe it’s a rhythm thing?
That should make their percentage higher. Open, catch & shoots should be the highest percentage shot, running a play with movement is a much higher degree of difficulty.
That is why this is so aggravating.
The scary option for me is what if two years ago was the outlier and now is the reality. That means the Kings are chasing fools gold.
With Huerter I am becoming convinced of this.
For Huerter, my money is on the yips. I haven’t watched as many games as I would have liked, but it also seems like Huerter takes a lot of threes while he’s on the run, which are really bad shots for almost anyone who isn’t Steph Curry.
For Keegan, I have no idea, though I expect season 1 may have been an outlier. I do expect both of them to trend toward league average over the course of the season. I don’t expect that to be enough to push the Kings past the first round, if they get there at all.
I would have traded Huerter after the Warriors series. One thing I can say about those terriblle, no good, very bad early 2000’s L***r teams is that they had role players who weren’t afraid of the moment. If you’re a playoff team who is serious, you have to rid yourself of guys who can’t perform under pressure.
This team is a reflection of the dysfunction found from top to bottom in this organization, but Mike Brown has to be the weirdest one of them all. Just terrible coaching, refusing to play serviceable players and putting in garbage ones like Huerter and Crowder. This team chooses to make everything difficult, be super inconsistent, and defeat themselves. Memphis, just another organization who decided not to be terrible forever and rebuilt in a logical way. The Kings can’t get out of the shadow that has hung over this team for 2 decades, complete joke of the league.
Coach’s lineups are beyond fu*****.
I was unavailable to watch last night and got home late – looks like I will delete the recorded version and watch the SAS v SAC rematch tonight.
Only thing I gleaned from the box score that already been mentioned: Fox + Murray + Huerter = 1/20 from 3 point land. That is an amazing 5%! Not just single digits but five frikkin’ percent from your high volume 3 point shooters. Yet when interviewed it’s “nothing to see here”. If it was a one time event, sure. But this is happening and happening and happening.
DeRozan(1/1) + Domas (1/2) + Monk (4/9) + IJones (1/1) = 7/13 for 54%
Kings shoot 8/35 (23%) (Jae Crowder was 0/2 to complete the picture).
Oy Vey.
at least we know we’ll end up with a better record than the 9-73 ’73 Sixers
Watching this team shoot used to make my eyes hurt. Now they are even Huerter. Not much left to do but
Tequilla? Are you having a cold? Infected by the Kings 3 point shooing?
I like DeMar; he’s a gifted scorer, but man does the offense stagnate when he’s in the game. There is just very little off ball movement when he gets the ball with his back to basket 20′ from the rim and goes to his patented spin midrange shot. It’s also just not that fun to watch.
You can see every game that there are situations where it makes sense to have DeMar ISO, and situations where it doesn’t make sense.
You can also see long stretches of offensive stagnation when Fox goes hero. It usually coincides with Domas not touching the ball.
I think an underlying issue is this “we don’t call plays” BS. I’m not sure why we decided to go away from what worked in 22-23 when we had the #1 offense. If it were driving a good offense, there’s an argument. But it clearly isn’t. This has nothing to do with improving on the defensive side of the ball.
Christ, you’re boring, Bags. Do you never tire of posting the same thing over and over?
Ha! I miss that guy. To each his own I guess.
I also enjoy reading what you make up. Humor is needed to follow this team.
That was a lot of fun to read Zack, well done.
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