Jaren Jackson Jr. dropped 21 points, Scotty Pippen Jr. recorded his first double-double with 14 points and 12 assists, and the Memphis Grizzlies dominated the Washington Wizards 140-112 on Sunday night.
Despite missing two key starters, the Grizzlies showed their depth, cruising to their third consecutive win and ninth victory in their last 10 games.
Memphis was without two-time All-Star Ja Morant (back soreness) and Brandon Clarke (toe soreness), both sidelined after starting in the previous night’s win over Boston. However, the Grizzlies didn’t miss a beat, with Santi Aldama stepping up to score 19 points and the team shooting an impressive 52.1% from the field, including 39.5% from beyond the arc.
Jonas Valanciunas led the Wizards with a strong performance, tallying 20 points and 14 rebounds in just 23 minutes, while Marvin Bagley III matched his scoring output with 20 points. Unfortunately for Washington, their offense struggled to find rhythm, and one night after breaking a 16-game losing streak, the Wizards fell flat.
Jordan Poole, who exploded for 39 points in the prior win, was limited to just nine points on 2-of-6 shooting. The Wizards’ inability to convert from three-point range was glaring—they missed their first 11 attempts from deep, leaving them at a significant disadvantage early on.
The Grizzlies led by 17 points at halftime, but Washington momentarily threatened in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to nine points. However, Memphis responded emphatically with a game-sealing 16-0 run. Jackson hit a three-pointer and a running jumper, while Brandon Clarke provided energy with a dunk in transition following Pippen’s steal. Aldama capped the run with a corner three, pushing the lead to 91-66 and extinguishing any hope of a Wizards comeback.
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For Memphis, the win highlighted their impressive depth. The Grizzlies improved to 7-4 in games without Morant this season and are now 3-1 without both Morant and Clarke on the floor. Pippen’s contributions as a playmaker were crucial, while Aldama continued to showcase his scoring versatility.
Washington’s defensive woes were on full display. The Wizards, who have suffered multiple blowout losses this season, are off to a rough start in December. Sunday’s defeat marked the third time in four games that Washington has lost by 28 points or more. Despite their struggles, Valanciunas provided a bright spot with his efficiency in limited minutes, but the team will need more consistency to stay competitive.
A key stat from the game was the Wizards’ futility from three-point range. By the time Bilal Coulibaly sank their first triple late in the second quarter, Memphis had already built a commanding lead. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, capitalized on Washington’s cold shooting with balanced scoring and efficient ball movement.
Memphis now looks ahead to their next challenge, hosting the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. Meanwhile, Washington will aim to rebound as they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers the same night.
Sunday’s victory underscored Memphis’ ability to adapt and thrive despite missing key players, while Washington continues to search for answers during a tumultuous stretch. The Grizzlies’ depth and execution remain their hallmark as they keep pace in the Western Conference.
