Taylor Jenkins sounds off on Grizzlies efforts in loss to Timberwolves

Thursday night, the struggling Memphis Grizzlies gave the surging Minnesota Timberwolves a run for their money while playing the role of visitor at Target Center.

Despite being severely short-handed, Taylor Jenkins' squad played one of their most complete overall games of the entire season, shooting 41.2 percent from deep and seeing five different people scoring in double-figures.

Unfortunately, even with a 13-point advantage during the contest and a phenomenal showing from star Jaren Jackson Jr., a grueling fourth quarter proved too much for the visiting Grizz and, in the end, they fell by a final score of 118-103.

However, though Memphis squandered their numerous leads throughout the night, fans of the franchise were rewarded with a near-ideal Grind City performance, and, during his post-game presser, coach Jenkins heaped praise upon the team for their efforts against the top-seeded Timberwolves.

Taylor Jenkins praises Grizzlies after hard-fought loss to Timberwolves

"That's how we're built, that's in our D.N.A. The guys have been doing it all season long. Some nights you're going to break through, some nights you're going to come up a little bit short but we give ourselves a chance to win every single night when we play like that. We play with that edge, home or away, and that togetherness I thought was really good"

- Taylor Jenkins

Jenkins would continue on to note that the final period was ultimately where things slipped away from the Grizzlies, as they were outscored by a whopping 37-17 and allowed Minnesota to shoot a highly efficient 71.4 percent from the floor and 85.7 percent from deep, but, in the end, he's still "really impressed" with his team's efforts on the night.

Leading the charge for Memphis was JJJ, who finished with a tremendous stat-line of 36 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block while shooting 65.2 percent from the floor and 50.0 percent from deep.

Though moral victories don't wind up showing within a team's record, Thursday's bout against the 30-11 T-Wolves is a reminder of just how good this team can be when locked in, and the promise that they have when at full strength.