Bane's 28, Morant's good finish lead Grizzlies past Wizards

Updated Nov. 6, 2022 8:42 p.m. ET

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Desmond Bane scored 28 points, Ja Morant added 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and the Memphis Grizzlies held on for a 103-97 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

After Washington rallied in the third quarter, the teams exchanged leads early in the fourth. Memphis went on a 9-0 run, with Morant scoring six, and the Grizzlies held on for their third straight win.

The Wizards were without leading scorer Bradley Beal, who was in the league's health and safety protocols, eliminating 21.6 points and 5.7 assists from the Washington lineup.

Bane shot 9 for 16 from the field, while Morant made only nine of 27 shots. Brandon Clarke scored 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting.

Monte Morris had 18 points for the Wizards, while Rui Hachimura scored 15 and keyed a third-quarter Washington rally. Kyle Kuzma and Will Barton finished with 12 points apiece.

The Wizards were coming off a 42-point loss to Brooklyn on Friday with Beal playing, while Memphis beat Charlotte by 31 points. But the Grizzlies offense was stagnant to open the game Sunday, allowing the Wizards an early lead.

Memphis rebounded to outscore Washington 33-18 in the second quarter, helped by Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis (10 points) sitting with two fouls through the first part of the period.

But, unlike the Brooklyn loss, when the Nets took control of the game in the second half, Washington showed new life after halftime, erasing most of a 23-point Memphis lead. Hachimura would hit all four of his shots in the third to tighten the game before the Grizzlies regained control in the fourth.

TIP-INS:

Wizards: With Beal out, Corey Kispert started at guard with Morris. It was Kispert’s first start of the season after missing the early portion with a left ankle sprain. … Kuzma grabbed his 1,800th career defensive rebound midway through the second quarter.

Grizzlies: C Steven Adams left the game early in the third quarter after an ankle injury but returned in the fourth quarter. … Clarke passed JaMychal Green for 23rd spot on the franchise’s made shots list with 878

UP NEXT:

Wizards: Play at Charlotte on Monday.

Grizzlies: Wrap up a three-game homestand against the Boston Celtics on Monday.

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