Grizzlies beat Hawks, win 3rd straight with Ja Morant back

Field Level Media|published: Sat 23rd December, 22:27 2023

Dec 23, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) dribbles against Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) during the first half at State Farm Arena. credits: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Desmond Bane scored a game-high 37 points to help lead the visiting Memphis Grizzlies to a 125-119 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.

Ja Morant added 30 points and 11 assists for the Grizzlies, who won their third straight game since Morant's reinstatement from his 25-game suspension. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 20 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the field.

Trae Young led Atlanta with 30 points and 13 assists as the Hawks lost their second game in as many nights. It was Young's seventh consecutive game of at least 30 points and 10 assists, tying Oscar Robertson for the longest run in NBA history.

Dejounte Murray added 26 points on 10-for-15 shooting, while Clint Capela totaled 20 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks.

Trailing by six with 2:23 left, Morant blocked a layup by Bogdan. After replay, the ball appeared to be blocked off the rim and should have been called goaltending, with a lengthy discussion ensuing between head coach Quin Synder and officials.

Two minutes later, Young missed a layup and Onyeka Okongwu couldn't tip in the follow, which would have cut the lead to three with 20 seconds left.

Bane then made all four of his free throws in the last 20 seconds en route to the victory.

The Hawks took a 9-point lead at the 10:10 mark of the second quarter — the largest for either team to that point — thanks to the first career 3-pointer by Atlanta rookie Seth Lundy.

Three minutes later, Memphis knotted the score at 41 on a Morant jumper.

Atlanta then finished the opening half on a 19-9 run, taking a 60-50 at the break. Murray paced the Hawks with 15 points in the half, while Capela added 12. Morant shot 7-for-11 from the field, tallying 16 points in the half. Jackson added 10.

Atlanta's De'Andre Hunter missed his second game in as many nights with a knee injury. Jalen Johnson, who was averaging career highs of 14.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game before breaking his wrist on Nov. 25, was cleared to return to practice this week and Atlanta is optimistic he will return Tuesday in Chicago.

—Field Level Media

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