In a pivotal match that could have secured a smoother entry into the playoffs for the Memphis Grizzlies, the team tumbled in the final stretch, losing to the Denver Nuggets 117-109. The Grizzlies, leading by 15 at one point, were unable to hold off the Nuggets, who closed the game with a mighty 14-1 run in the last six minutes. Action News 5 reported the Grizzlies' dominance in the first half but remarked on their failure to close out the game.
Despite the loss, Denver's performance showcased their resilience and firepower. Nikola Jokic clinched a triple-double average for the season, while Aaron Gordon's 33 points led the Nuggets to victory. Jamal Murray contributed 15 points upon his return from injury, his presence clearly bolstering the team's efforts. Desmond Bane scored 24 points for Memphis, and Ja Morant added 21, but this wasn't enough to stem the Nuggets' tide. The win solidifies Denver's record at 49-32, edging closer to securing home-court advantage in the Western Conference playoffs, while Memphis's record fell to 47-34, according to ESPN.
Now facing the prospect of a play-in game, the Grizzlies' easier pathway to the NBA playoffs has become considerably murkier. They are set to conclude their regular season against the Dallas Mavericks, a game that might see the benching of some key players since their seed will remain unchanged. The Timberwolves, Nuggets, Clippers, and Warriors all loom as potential adversaries in the battle for a playoff berth. "Once you make it to the postseason, it doesn't really matter what happened before," Santi Aldama of the Grizzlies optimistically told The Commercial Appeal.
"So, for us it is just regroup, because we have another game in two days, find a way to win that game and do good stuff," Aldama continued, indicating a forward-looking approach for the team regardless of the setback. There is a palpable sense that for the Grizzlies, all is not lost just yet. With some days to regroup before the play-in game, the focus remains on taking each game as it comes—hoping to ignite the postseason success they've been striving for all season long.
