How Memphis Grizzlies came about their worst loss of NBA season

A struggling Memphis Grizzlies team wrapped up a quick two-game road trip with a March 23 matchup against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena.

Memphis (24-47) fell into an early hole and never recovered in the 146-107 loss. The 39-point margin was the worst of the Grizzlies’ season. They have dropped 11 of their past 12 games, while the Hawks (40-32) have won 13 of their past 14.

Injuries continue to take a toll on a shorthanded Memphis group — a trend that’s expected to persist for the rest of the season, which ends April 12. With no available centers and key absences including Ja Morant, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Zach Edey, the Grizzlies will always face an uphill battle against quality opponents like Atlanta.

Here’s what happened in the loss:

Effort battle lost

Grizzlies TV analyst Brevin Knight noted this was the first time in weeks Memphis lost the effort battle. Even in recent losses, the Grizzlies have typically competed with enough energy to offset talent gaps and keep games close.

That wasn’t the case against the Hawks.

Atlanta matched — and exceeded — the Grizzlies’ intensity, consistently winning loose balls and making hustle plays.

The Hawks forced Memphis into 21 turnovers that turned into 39 points. Atlanta had 11 turnovers that resulted in 12 Memphis points.

3-point shooting gap

The most telling stat of the night was from beyond the arc.

Memphis struggled, finishing with 14 made 3-pointers, including just 7-for-28 through three quarters. By then, Atlanta had built a commanding lead and rested its starters for much of the fourth.

The Hawks knocked down 20 3-pointers through three quarters, finishing with a franchise record-tying 25. Eleven Atlanta players made at least one.

Jaylen Wells injury update

Jaylen Wells was injured early in the fourth quarter after being hit by a screen from Atlanta Hawks center (and former Memphis Grizzlies teammate) Jock Landale. Wells left the game and did not return due to right foot soreness.

Wells has been one of the team’s most durable players, and he has played his best basketball in recent weeks.

Any silver linings?

It was an ugly loss — no way around it.

Still, a few positives emerged. GG Jackson led Memphis with 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting, providing an efficient scoring night. He was also the only Grizzlies player with a plus-minus better than minus-10; every other player finished at minus-12 or worse.

Around the NBA, the Indiana Pacers upset the Orlando Magic. Because Memphis is positioned to control Orlando’s first-round pick, the result could improve its lottery outlook.

Orlando (38-33) has lost five straight and is eighth in the Eastern Conference.

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies loss to Hawks recap, Jaylen Wells injury update

How Memphis Grizzlies came about their worst loss of NBA season

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