The Memphis Grizzlies lost Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals vs Golden State Warriors 117-116 despite having phenomenal games from Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
After an uneven first-round series vs the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ja Morant returned to his usual self, scoring a game-high 34 points. It was the most Morant has scored in a game since he scored 37 against the New York Knicks on March 11.
Morant had a chance to win the game on a layup with just a few seconds remaining, but shot the ball just a little too high off the glass and the ball never really had a chance to go into the hoop.
Draymond Green, notably, was ejected from the game after striking Brandon Clarke on the head and pulling him to the ground with his jersey.
It remains to be seen if he’ll face a fine or suspension after being accessed a flagrant-2 foul and his subsequent decision to taunt the FedEx Forum crowd on his way to the locker room.
While the Grizzlies lost Game 1, there’s really no need to panic. Here are 5 reasons why everything is going to be just fine for the rest of the series.
No. 1: Jaren Jackson had a breakout game for the Memphis Grizzlies
Welcome back, Trip.
After a career-worst slump in the first round vs the Timberwolves, Jaren Jackson Jr. may have finally broken out of a terrible slump that saw him play some of his worst basketball ever.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scoring 33 points today vs Golden State in Game 1 marks just the fifth time in his entire career that he’s scored 30+ points in any game, per Stat Muse.
— Beale Street Bears (@BealeStBearsFS) May 1, 2022
43 pts - 12/13/19
36 pts - 11/30/18
33 pts - 07/31/20
33 pts - 05/01/22
31 pts - 12/02/19
After committing 31 total fouls in six games and averaging 24.5 minutes of action per game in the first round, Jackson looked like a new and improved version of himself. He looked like, for the first time in a very long time, the player we agreed to pay nine figures to keep him Memphis.
His 33 points (on five made threes) and 10 rebounds were outstanding. He finished the game with only three fouls— his fewest since April 9 when he committed two. Can’t say enough great things about how well Jackson played in Game 1.
Golden State does not have a player that can match-up with Jackson. If Trip can leverage his skills, play smart basketball and stay on the court, he is going to be a massive problem that the Warriors may not be able to solve.