MEMPHIS – The Knicks went back to collapsing.
Ja Morant and the upstart Grizzlies ran rampant in the fourth quarter Friday night at FedEx Forum, recovering from a 15-point deficit overall and snapping the Knicks three-game winning streak, 118-114.
Morant was the thrilling catalyst while scoring 15 of his 37 points in the final period, as the Knicks offense sputtered and stalled. Julius Randle scored 36 points for the visitors, but only six in the fourth quarter, when the Knicks succumbed to Memphis’ 36-18 run to end the game.
It was a disheartening for the Knicks (28-39) to finish an otherwise encouraging Western Conference swing. With Charlotte and Atlanta both winning Friday, Tom Thibodeau’s squad is now 4 ½ games out of the final play-in spot with only 15 to play.
In other words, Friday night was damaging to the Knicks.
Briefly, though, they looked ready for an upset. The Knicks controlled the third quarter, building that 15-point advantage behind Randle’s bullish offense and an all-around committed defense. But that disappeared quickly — within about seven minutes of game action – and Morant’s lay-up giving Memphis a one-point edge midway through the fourth quarter.
RJ Barrett finished 23 points on just 9 of 25 shooting for the Knicks, who finish their season-high seven-game road trip in Sunday in Brooklyn.
The Grizzlies (46-22) represent the most exciting young team in the NBA, a surprising contender led by Ja Morant. They’re ranked second in the West, giving legitimacy to their brash play and proclamations.
It was a short transition in Memphis from the Grit-N-Grind Grizzlies, defined by slow-paced defensive basketball with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, to the high-flying version and high-scoring version occupying FedEx Forum today.
“We got the blessing of everybody before to go ahead and turn this thing to the next level,” Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. said. “Grit and grind was super special and it was their thing. They know that we’ve got to have our thing so we can be special, too.
“We’re all on the same page. Grit-n-Grind never goes away really. It’s kind of always here, you see it around. ‘Built Tough’ is the message all around.”
Still, the larger audience was slow to come around to the Grizz, specifically the stations that kept them off national TV. Their games were finally starting to get picked up in February, following a comment from Morant about the disrespect.
“There’s a little more chatter now. But we ain’t never going to be satisfied,” Grizz guard Desmond Bane said. “They can be talking about us on every ESPN show they have all morning and we’re still going to that chip on our shoulder. It’s good the Grizzlies are starting to get a little more national recognition but we’re still hungry for sure.”
CAM AVOIDS SURGERY
Cam Reddish’s shoulder separation has finished his season but won’t require surgery, according to coach Tom Thibodeau.
Reddish suffered the injury in a victory this week in Sacramento, when he braced a hard fall with his right arm, and was sent back to New York. The 22-year-old was acquired for a first-round pick in January. He’s eligible for an extension before next season, and will become a restricted free agent if no deal is reached.
“Of course you hate to see a player get injured. We knew it was serious, but we’re pleased that he won’t have to have surgery,” Thibodeau said. “That’s a good sign. It’s an unfortunate part of the game. Just focus on the rehab now.
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