Ja Morant, Desmond Bane combine for 67 points as Memphis Grizzlies win third straight
ATLANTA — In a battle of two talented backcourts, it was the Memphis Grizzlies' duo that stole the show.
Ja Morant soared through the air for dunks and impressive blocks while Desmond Bane took the offensive reins whenever Morant headed to the bench.
Trae Young and Dejounte Murray led the Atlanta Hawks, but they weren't enough in the Grizzlies' 125-119 win Saturday night at State Farm Arena.
The Grizzlies (9-19) have won three consecutive games for the first time this season. All three have come since Morant returned Tuesday from a 25-game suspension.
Bane led the Grizzlies with 37 points, and Morant added 30. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 20 points. The Grizzlies are 7-0 all-time when each of the three score 20 points.
The Hawks led 60-50 at halftime, but Bane's 18-point third quarter shifted the momentum.
Fourth quarter
Final: Grizzlies 125, Hawks 119
Third quarter
End of third quarter: Hawks 93, Grizzlies 90
Desmond Bane heats up to lead Grizzlies rally
Memphis was in dangerous territory when it trailed by 12 points after the Hawks scored the first basket of the second half to build a 12-point lead. That deficit didn't last long after hot shooting from Desmond Bane, who scored 18 points in the third quarter. Bane and Ja Morant dominated the quarter to get the Grizzlies back in the game.
HIGHLIGHT: Watch: Ja Morant climbs the ladder for impressive alley-oop dunk against the Hawks
Second quarter
Halftime: Hawks 60, Grizzlies 50
Memphis made a run and tied the game 41-41 before the Hawks closed the half on a 19-9 run. DeJounte Murray leads the Hawks with 15 points, but Trae Young's playmaking has led to six assists and several other easy scoring opportunities.
Ja Morant leads the Grizzlies with 16 points. Memphis is shooting 46.7% from the field while holding Atlanta to 44.2%.
Ja Morant gets the Grizzlies rolling
6:50 left: Ja Morant is up to 14 points and four assists as the Grizzlies have rallied to tie the game 41-41. The run has come with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane resting. All four Grizzlies reserves that shared the floor with Morant have scored, led by Santi Aldama's five points.
Taylor Jenkins found something by pairing Ja Morant with the bench in 2nd quarters. The attention on Morant plus his elite playmaking and Aldama's shooting makes that unit go. Also allows Jaren/Bane to play together. Adding that third offensive force was crucial for this team.
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) December 24, 2023
First quarter
End of first quarter: Hawks 32, Grizzlies 25
The Grizzlies' first quarter scoring was dominated mostly by the trio of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. Morant and Jackson led the way with seven points, but the Hawks backcourt got off to a stronger start. DeJounte Murray, who was questionable to play before the game, had 10 points in the first quarter. Trae Young continued his playmaking brilliance with five assists in the first quarter.
Memphis is shooting 47.8% from the field while the Hawks are at 57.1%.
Ja from distance 🎯 pic.twitter.com/mJqOAnip8b
— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) December 24, 2023
Memphis Grizzlies back on the road to face Trae Young-led Atlanta Hawks
Momentum is in the Memphis Grizzlies' favor. They have played their best basketball of the season in the past two games, since the return of Ja Morant from his 25-game suspension.
The star guard is back just in time for one of the toughest stretches Memphis (8-19) will see this season, and the next test is tonight against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks (12-16) have won two of their past three games in large part because of their own star point guard in Trae Young, who has had at least 30 points and 10 assists in six consecutive games.
The Grizzlies were hopeful earlier this week that Marcus Smart could be back in the lineup by this game, but he's listed as doubtful on the injury report. Luke Kennard and Derrick Rose also remain out.
Hawks starter Dejounte Murray is questionable to play due to a right forearm contusion. He's averaging 20.1 points and 5.4 assists for Atlanta.
This will be the 55th meeting all-time between the Grizzlies and Hawks. Atlanta has a 32-22 advantage in the series.
Follow along for live updates.
What channel is Grizzlies vs. Hawks on today?
TV channel: Bally Sports Southeast
Stream: Bally Sports app, FUBO (free trial)
Grizzlies vs. Hawks start time
Date: Saturday, Dec. 23
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Grizzlies vs. Hawks betting odds
SPREAD: Grizzlies -1
MONEY LINE: Grizzlies -116, Hawks -102
OVER/UNDER: 236
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane lead Memphis Grizzlies to third straight win
