The Memphis Grizzlies avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season after defeating the Orlando Magic 105-104 in their largest comeback this season. They trailed by 19 points a little over the midway point of the third quarter before a 23-2 run helped them take the lead in five game time minutes before the quarter ended.
Reserve forward Brandon Clarke was on the floor for the entirety of that run, which flipped the game back into a competitive contest between the interconference foes. His energy and hustle showed in the stat column as he finished the game with the second-best plus/minus at +14.
"I just wanna win so damn bad" - BC
— Devin Walker (@Devin_Walker2) February 22, 2025
same BC. same. pic.twitter.com/UKg9bjUVEA
He was also awarded the walk-off interview after ending the game with three rebounds in clutch time and provided the point-of-attack defense on Paolo Banchero that led to the Jaren Jackson Jr. block on the last shot to seal the victory for the Grizzlies. Clarke also moved into new territory in the Grizzlies' franchise hierarchy for bench players.
Brandon Clarke passed the 2,500 career scoring mark
The six-year forward and former first-round draft pick from Gonzaga is having a career-low in points (7.9), rebounds (5.0), and minutes (18.8) this season, but that doesn't tell the story of his positive impact on the team. Brandon Clarke has consistently played this season (52 of 56 games) after only playing six games last season coming off a return from a torn Achilles injury that sidelined him for one calendar year.
He was always going to be gradually brought back to speed as his game is predicated on athleticism, and that injury was sure to take some of that away from him in the short term. However, the career 10.2 points per game scorer became only the second Grizzlies player in franchise history to reach 2,500 or more career points as a primary reserve.
Last night, Brandon Clarke became only the 2nd Grizzlies player in franchise history to produce 2,500 or more career points as a reserve.
— Shawn Coleman (@StatsSAC) February 22, 2025
Only Stromile Swift has scored more points off the bench as a member of the Grizzlies than Clarke.
Despite his lower numbers this season his value to the team has become more important than ever. He has spelled rookie center Zach Edey for 18 starts this season as the ultimate plug-and-play player in the frontcourt. He also produced 13 points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes in their victory over the Magic after only playing 10 minutes the night before.
Clarke is the ultimate "Next Man Up" performer who is ready for the moment, and certain matchups favor his skillset more than others. After a failed experiment of him trying to regain his rookie-year magic behind the three-point line earlier this season (0.59% this season vs 35.9% his rookie year), Clarke has been placed back in his primary position on the block while maintaining his defensive versatility.
Brandon Clarke showed last night, and at several different other points of this season, that the player that averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds off the bench in their only playoff series win of the 'Grz Nxt Gen' era in 2022 against the Minnesota Timberwolves is still here in spurts.