Memphis Grizzlies fall behind early, remain winless at home with loss to Timberwolves
Another day, same story for the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies (3-12) lost their eighth consecutive home game to start the 2023-24 season, falling 119-97 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday at FedExForum. The Wolves (12-4) took a 5-0 lead in the game’s first minute and never looked back, eventually rolling to a blowout win that marked Memphis’ fourth straight loss overall.
Memphis trailed throughout the game but went on a run midway through the fourth quarter to cut the Minnesota lead to 12 points. After a timeout, the Wolves hit two consecutive 3-pointers to put the game out of reach for good and send fans to the exits.
Memphis had a dismal night from the 3-point line, shooting 10 of 37 (27%). Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 18 points, and Santi Aldama had 14 points and seven rebounds.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 24 points, and Mike Conley had 18 points and 10 assists.
The Grizzlies are back in action on Wednesday when they host the Utah Jazz.
Grizzlies live score updates vs. Timberwolves
Fourth quarter
5:49 left: Memphis has cut the lead to 12, and the Wolves are struggling to find ways to score now. Bane hit a three-pointer to force another timeout from Finch. There's still time for the Grizzlies to get all the way back if they continue to hit shots from outside.
7:56 left: Memphis trails 99-79 and is running out of time to get back in this game. Edwards is up to 20 points to lead all scorers, but the three-point shooting disparity is telling the story. Minnesota is shooting 40.7 percent, while Memphis is at just 18.8 percent.
Third quarter
End of quarter: Wolves 90, Grizzlies 66.
2:23 left: Derrick Rose has provided a spark in the third quarter and is up to 12 points. But Memphis still trails by 18.
5:09 left: Chris Finch calls timeout with the Wolves up 76-55. Aldama has 14 points, but consistent offense has been hard to come by for the Grizzlies.
7:37 left: Desmond Bane and Naz Reid exchanged words after Bane knocked Reid to the ground. Both got technical fouls.
9:33 left: The Wolves have pulled away once again. Minnesota now leads 69-44 and this game is in danger of getting away from Memphis. The three-point shooting disparity is striking: 10-of-18 for Minnesota, 2-of-20 for Memphis.
Second quarter
Halftime: Wolves 60, Grizzlies 43. Memphis was outplayed for most of the half but is still alive thanks to a lot of fouling from the Wolves and better second-quarter defense from Memphis. The Grizzlies are going to need to find more consistent offense in the second half. Santi Aldama leads the Grizzlies with 11 points, while Conley, Edwards and Towns all have 12.
2:53 left: Minnesota is still ahead by 17 points and has taken back control after the Grizzlies run to end the first quarter. Memphis is just 2-of-16 from beyond the arc and has struggled to get inside against Rudy Gobert and the Wolves' defense.
6:29 left: Another timeout from Jenkins to try to stem a run from the Wolves. Minnesota is back out in front 45-32 and is shooting 60 percent from the field and 60 percent from behind the three-point line.
7:53 left: Jaren Jackson Jr. has struggled so far in this game, and he's 0-of-5 with just two points from the free throw line. The Wolves went on another run to start the quarter thanks to Towns, who's the first player in double figures with 10.
First quarter
End of quarter: Wolves 31, Grizzlies 26. Anthony Edwards leads all scorers with eight points. Memphis fought back and started to hit some shots on offense late in the quarter. It's been a balanced attack for the Grizzlies so far, with four players who have five or more points after the first quarter.
2:49 left: It's been an impressive turnaround for Memphis. The Grizzlies woke up after the second timeout and cut back into the lead with a much better defensive effort. David Roddy leads Memphis with six points. The Minnesota lead is just two points.
9:01 left: The Grizzlies continue their slow start. The Wolves have scored on their first 6 possessions and haven't missed a shot. Jenkins called his second timeout. Wolves 15, Grizzlies 3 less than three minutes into the game.
11:05 left: The game started about as bad as it possibly could for the Grizzlies. Mike Conley hit a three-pointer, then Jaren Jackson Jr. committed an offensive foul and Karl-Anthony Towns scored on the other end. Taylor Jenkins called a timeout less than a minute into the game with his team down 5-0.
Grizzlies looking for first home win
The Memphis Grizzlies are still searching for their first home win.
The Grizzlies (3-12) are 0-7 this season at FedExForum heading into Sunday's matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves (11-4) have the best record in the Western Conference and have been dominant so far this season. They're coming off a loss on Wednesday to the Sacramento Kings.
Memphis lost to Phoenix at home on Friday, and the Grizzlies enter Sunday's game on a three-game losing streak. The Grizzlies are still dealing with a seemingly never-ending injury crisis and the 25-game suspension for star guard Ja Morant. Sunday's game will also be a chance for newly-signed Grizzlies guard Jaylen Nowell to play against his former team.
What channel is Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves on today?
TV channel: Bally Sports Southeast
Stream: Bally Sports app, FUBO (free trial)
Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves start time
Date: Nov. 26
Time: 5 p.m. CT
Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves betting odds
SPREAD: Timberwolves -7
MONEY LINE: Timberwolves -265, Grizzlies +215
OVER/UNDER: 218
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Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies remain winless at home with loss to Timberwolves
