Memphis Grizzlies: Game 4 collapse vs Warriors falls on Brooks, Jenkins

The Memphis Grizzlies had a chance to pull off the upset of the playoffs when they faced the Golden State Warriors in Game 4.

The Grizzlies, without Ja Morant, held the lead for all but the final 47 seconds of the game, eventually succumbing 101-98 and falling 3-1 in the series.

A 2-2 series tie was RIGHT THERE. A game the Grizzlies were supposed to be blown out in, was right there for the taking.

The Warriors gifted the Grizzlies with an uncharacteristically poor shooting performance from beyond the arc (9 for 36) and frequent turnovers (+4), yet Memphis couldn’t close it out.

Jenkins, Brooks must take responsibility for Memphis Grizzlies Game 4 loss

The blame for this game has to fall on the shoulders of Dillon Brooks and Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins.

Brooks was 5-19 from the field and 2-9 from three for 12 total points. His poor shot selection played an incredibly huge role in the collapse of the Grizzlies in the final moments of Game 4. Brooks’ meaningless buzzer-beater game him an extra made field goal and three points to his stat line, but the damage was done.

Brooks’ decision to shoot a 26-foot, step-back three while up one with 53.6 seconds left in the game was so egregious, you would have to think Jenkins would come unglued for Brooks for firing up such an abysmal shot. Except he didn’t.

Brooks then went on the other end and fouled Stephen Curry under the basked trying to get in front of him and presumably draw a charge on him. Except he was incredibly late to his spot and ended up hip-checking Curry, giving him two free throws and a chance to take the lead with 45.7 seconds left in the game.

Frustrations among fans grew shot after shot, after shot, after shot by Brooks. How can Jenkins keep him in with such horrendous shot selection?

Jenkins has to shoulder some of the burden for allowing Brooks to have the green light to keep shooting the ball with such poor results. His blind faith in Brooks is hurting the team in a detrimental way.

Yes, Brooks is a really good defender and recorded 8 assists and 5 rebounds, but his 4 turnovers and atrocious shot selection cost this team the game.

The team was on the cusp of winning the game, despite Desmond Bane, the team’s second-best scoring option, taking just 8 FG attempts in the game.

A lot of players stepped up in Morant’s absence, but Dillon Brooks’ poor decision-making has cost the Grizzlies from winning Game 4.