Memphis Grizzlies vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Grizzles progress as Bane, Brooks and Morant impress

The Grizzlies advanced to the playoffs for the first time in seven years, this time to meet the impressive Golden State Warriors for Game 1 in Memphis on Sunday.

Xavier Tillman of the Memphis Grizzlies in action. (Image credits: twitter/NBA)
By Sujay Gaurav | Apr 30, 2022 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

The Memphis Grizzlies rode on impressive performances from Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-106 in Game 6 of their playoff series and in the process progress to the Western Conference semifinals. Desmond Bane scored 23 points and had seven rebounds and Dillon Brooks also scored 23 points with three rebounds and two assists. “I wish we got better starts so we don’t have to put ourselves in that predicament,” Brooks said, “but we’re always going to find a way to fight.” Ja Morant had a decent game too with 17 points and 11 assists while Brandon Clarke added 17 points and 11 rebounds in another stellar effort off the bench for the Grizzlies.

Grizzlies to take on the Warriors

After the game, Bane said, “We stick together, stay on the same page, and I think it really showed on the big stage this series.” The Memphis outfit advanced to the playoffs for the first time in seven years, this time to meet the impressive Golden State Warriors for Game 1 in Memphis on Sunday. “Physically, mentally, this series was a battle,” said Morant, who went 4 for 14 from the field and had 17 points and 11 assists. “Obviously, the wins were pretty ugly outside of Game 2, but we got it done.”

Read more: 76ers sweep aside Raptors to progress as Embiid and Harden shine

Edwards impresses for T-Wolves

Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards scored 30 points with five rebounds and five assists while Jaden McDaniels had 24 points off the bench and Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points and 10 rebounds but they weren’t of much help. “We showed it in our shot selection in the fourth, and it’s baked in our DNA right now,” coach Chris Finch said. “We know we have to learn from this. We’re not all just going to be able to save the day.” Bane and Brooks each hit 3-pointers midway through the fourth quarter and Brooks fouled out just 26 seconds after he evened the score.

Morant was key

Dillon Brooks who scored 23 points, said, “I think they thought I was going to shoot 1 for 10 again. I’m a pro. I figure stuff out.” Bane then sunk a three-pointer for a 101-99 lead, the first for the Grizzlies since they were up 39-38. The dagger came soon after for a Wolves team that, like so many others against the Grizzlies this season, was consistently a step and a jump behind on the glass. Tyus Jones missed a pair of 3-pointers from the wing on the same possession, but the Grizzlies rebounded both and Morant used the second one for a layup and a four-point lead.

Timberwolves fans turn up

Shortly after, Jaden McDaniels hit a 3 pointer with 1:34 left on the clock to bring the Wolves back within one point, Jones answered back with a 3 of his own to bump the lead back to two possessions. Despite the disappointment of two squandered leads in defeat earlier in the series, the fans turned out again to give the Wolves a clear advantage. Former Timberwolves star Latrell Sprewell sat courtside, a few seats down from Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen, a Minnesota native. Local head coaches P.J. Fleck, Ben Johnson and Cheryl Reeve were in attendance as fans clutched neon-blue glow sticks for the duration of the night in the packed arena.