New intel finds Grizzlies were robbed of potential game-winning possession
By Mark Nilon
These first six games of action have proven to be quite unkind to the Memphis Grizzlies, as they have been on the losing end of each of their matchups and, in turn, register in as the only winless team remaining on the season.
While the vast majority of their lackluster outings were the result of their own doing, new intel finds that the outcome of their latest bout against the Portland Trail Blazers was sealed with a blown call by the officiating crew.
New intel finds Grizzlies were robbed of potential game-winning possession
As brought to light by The Athletic’s John Hollinger via X (formerly known as Twitter), the league officially declared that the referee team wrongfully issued an out-of-bounds call against the Grizzlies at the 12.7 mark in the fourth quarter that gave possession to the Blazers and, ultimately, paved way to game-tying free throws made by Shaedon Sharpe just seconds later.
Upon post-game review, it was revealed that Portland guard Malcolm Brogdon had touched the ball last before it went out of bounds, thus resulting in the league admitting “possession should have been awarded to Memphis.”
Grizzlies should have gotten the ball back with 12 seconds left and a 2-point lead in regulation. Oops. pic.twitter.com/BrQEw2SUwU
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) November 4, 2023
As Hollinger noted, had things been called correctly the Grizzlies would have received possession of the ball while holding onto a 102-100 lead. In turn, the Trail Blazers would have been thrust into intentional foul mode, which would have given Memphis the opportunity to put the game away at the charity stripe.
Instead, Portland held onto the rock, where they would proceed to send the game into overtime, only to then come away with a 115-113 win, sending Taylor Jenkins and company to 0-6 on the year.
