The Memphis Grizzlies entered Thursday night with their most important game of the season on the line against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
What started as a promising first half, ended in an astonishing 52-point third quarter for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The six-point Grizzlies lead quickly turned into a 23-point deficit for them. Memphis ultimately lost a game they couldn't afford to lose, and now they have less than 24 hours to face off against the Denver Nuggets in an even more important game.
"They scored damn near 150 points," Morant said about the Timberwolves after the game.
"we don't got no choice. we put ourselves in this position"
— Grind City Media (@grindcitymedia) April 11, 2025
ja morant on how the grizzlies can turn the page in less than 24 hours and focus on a big game in denver @MyMikeCheck pic.twitter.com/Ik6cjZ9fB2
Morant isn't looking for any sympathy when it comes to dealing with the brutal back-to-back, he just wants his team to play defense.
"We don't got no choice," Morant said. "We put ourselves in this position. No complaints from me. I'm ready to go to Denver. Play some f**king defense and go get a win."
The @Timberwolves in the third quarter tonight:
— NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2025
52 PTS
18-21 FGM
7-8 3PM
It's the most points by any team in any quarter this season!! https://t.co/KTBb4T1bbQ pic.twitter.com/7fc8U9jRyo
After the loss, the Grizzlies dropped from the sixth seed to the seventh seed. They're now engaged in a three-way tie between the Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves. Their hopes of staying out of the play-in tournament aren't dead, but they essentially hinge entirely on the team's game against the Nuggets on Friday.
Denver is fresh off of a massive coaching change and just snapped a four-game losing streak. The Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets face off at 9:00 p.m. EST on Friday.
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