Morant hits tiebreaking shot with 18 seconds left as Grizzlies beat Timberwolves 127-125

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Ja Morant hit a crucial jumper with 18 seconds remaining, Jaren Jackson Jr. erupted for 33 points, and the Memphis Grizzlies edged the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-125 on Saturday night in a thrilling, back-and-forth contest.

Although Morant only scored 12 points, he played a pivotal role, sinking a game-tying basket with 54 seconds left, then nailing an 11-foot jumper to give Memphis the lead. Desmond Bane contributed 21 points, shooting 4-for-8 from beyond the arc.

Minnesota had a chance to win, but Anthony Edwards missed two 3-pointers in the final 7.3 seconds of a game that featured 25 lead changes and saw neither team lead by more than six points.

Donte DiVincenzo led the Wolves with a season-high 27 points, while Jaden McDaniels added 21 and Edwards chipped in 15. Minnesota’s three-game winning streak came to an end with the loss.

Rookie Jaylen Wells was tasked with defending Edwards for most of the night and held his ground well, finishing with 13 points of his own. The game marked the fourth straight contest with Minnesota’s revamped starting lineup, which saw DiVincenzo start and veteran Mike Conley come off the bench. Since the lineup change, the Timberwolves are now 3-1.

Next up, the Grizzlies will travel to Houston on Monday, while the Timberwolves head to Washington for their game the same day.