Grizzlies eliminated from NBA Cup despite riding strong second half to 112-107 win over Clippers

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 16 of his 24 points in the second half and the Memphis Grizzlies rallied for a 112-107 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the last game of NBA Cup play for both teams on Friday night.

The Grizzlies, who outscored the Clippers by eight in the fourth quarter to get their fourth win in five games, went 3-1 in West Group B but failed to secure a wild card into the knockout round because the Phoenix Suns had a better point differential.

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Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) reacts after making a 3-point basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward, back left, runs during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden gestures after making a 3-point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, right, possesses the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, left, during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, left, during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (8) drives against Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, left, during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Vincent Williams Jr. scored 16 points and Santi Aldama added 13 off the bench for the Grizzlies, who have a three-game road winning streak after dropping their previous five away from home. Zach Edey had 21 rebounds and five points.

Kawhi Leonard scored 39 points in 29 minutes for the Clippers, who have lost six straight at home, with their last victory at Intuit Dome coming on Oct. 31. James Harden had 23 points.

Memphis struggled to get its offense going in the first half, relying on long-distance shooting from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to provide some pop. They found a groove in the third quarter, rallying from a 16-point deficit to get within 81-78 to close the period, and it carried through as Cedric Coward gave the Grizzlies their first lead early in the fourth.

The Clippers started off strong by making hit three 3-pointers to open the game and going 6 of 9 from long range in the first quarter, but they finished 12 of 38 (31.6%).

Clippers point guard Chris Paul received a video tribute in his first home game since announcing he would retire at the end of the season. Paul finished with five points and two rebounds in 15 minutes.

Grizzlies: At Sacramento on Sunday.

Clippers: Host Dallas on Saturday.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 37 points and eight assists and the Oklahoma City Thunder held on to beat the Phoenix Suns 123-119 on Friday night to reach the knockout round of the NBA Cup.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points in the final seven minutes on 4-of-5 shooting to help the defending champion Thunder win their 11th straight and become the fifth team in NBA history to start 19-1. They finished 4-0 in West Group A.

Chet Holmgren had 23 points and eight rebounds for Oklahoma City.

Jalen Williams had 11 points and eight assists in his return from wrist surgery. He played 29 minutes and made 3 of 12 shots. The All-Star guard/forward had surgery in July to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist and a follow-up procedure to remove a screw that was causing irritation.

Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 20 points in 92 consecutive games, matching Wilt Chamberlain for the second-longest streak in NBA history. Chamberlain is first with 126 straight games.

Collin Gillespie scored 24 points for Phoenix, which also advanced to the round of eight. Devin Booker had 21 and eight rebounds, and Dillon Brooks had 19 points.

The teams each made 15 3-point shots, most of them coming in a furious fourth quarter, when Phoenix cut the lead to one point multiple times. Gillespie’s 3-pointer pulled Phoenix to 115-14, but Gilgeous-Alexander answered from beyond the arc to make it 118-114.

Suns: Host Denver on Saturday night.

Thunder: At Portland on Sunday night.

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