NBA: Grizzlies rally from 29 points down to beat Spurs in OT
Dillion Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts after his basket forced the game in OT during the game against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at AT&T Center on March 17, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. Ronald Cortes/Getty Images/AFP
Dillon Brooks had the game-tying 3-pointer to send the game into overtime and a key basket from beyond the arc late in the extra period as the visiting Memphis Grizzlies came from behind to beat the San Antonio Spurs 126-120 in the NBA on Friday.
The Spurs led 84-55 after Malaki Branham’s 3-pointer with 7:50 to play in the third period. That’s when the Grizzlies came alive, scoring 26 of the quarter’s final 35 points to pull within 93-81 heading into the fourth quarter.
Memphis clawed back to within 109-106 with 10.6 seconds left in regulation after a 3-pointer by the Grizzlies’ Luke Kennard. Brooks then poured in a 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds remaining to send the game into the extra period.
In overtime, Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr. tied the game at 119 on a layup with 2:14 remaining. Tyus Jones gave the Grizzlies a two-point lead with a floater with 1:31 left that was halved by a free throw by San Antonio’s Tre Jones (Tyus’ brother). Brooks then hit a 3-pointer with 1:05 to play, and the Spurs had no answers the rest of the way.
🔥 BROOKS SENDS IT TO OT 🔥
Dillon Brooks with the CLUTCH bucket to tie it up and send it to OT in San Antonio!
Watch NOW: https://t.co/0rrSPxOHD0 pic.twitter.com/HUuodoWpOS
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2023
The 29-point comeback was the biggest in Grizzlies franchise history. Jackson led Memphis with 28 points, with Desmond Bane scoring 21 points, Tyus Jones adding a triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, Brooks hitting for 16 points and Kennard contributing 13.
The Grizzlies were without Ja Morant (suspension) and the injured Brandon Clarke (left Achilles) and Steven Adams (right knee sprain).
Devin Vassell led the Spurs with 25 points while Zach Collins had 24, Keldon Johnson 21, Branham 18 and Keita Bates-Diop 11. Sandro Mamukelashvili collected 14 rebounds to lead both teams.
San Antonio was missing key reserves Romeo Langford (left adductor), Devonte’ Graham (left quad soreness) and Doug McDermott (right hip contusion).
The Spurs led 35-26 after 12 minutes of play as Bates-Diop scored eight of his 11 points over the final 3:36 of the period. Memphis missed 10 shots in a row and had three turnovers in a pivotal stretch of the second period as the Spurs eventually pushed their lead to 26 points before settling for a 69-46 edge at the break.
Collins led all the Spurs with 16 points before halftime while Jackson paced the Grizzlies with 16 points and Tilman had 10.
