The Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets squared off at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 11, 2026, in a game that delivered late drama and a showcase of emerging talent. Both teams entered the matchup eager to reverse recent misfortunes, with the Grizzlies having dropped six of their last seven contests and the Nets stumbling through five losses in their previous six outings. The stakes were clear: a much-needed win could spark momentum for either squad as the NBA season pressed on.
The Grizzlies, hosting in front of a home crowd, wasted no time establishing their dominance in the opening quarter. Rookie Cedric Coward was electric from the jump, pouring in 13 points in the first period alone. By the halfway mark of that opening frame, Coward had outscored the entire Nets roster, propelling Memphis to an 11-point advantage that soon ballooned to 16. The early offensive burst, coupled with a 14-5 edge in free-throw attempts, suggested the Grizzlies might cruise to a comfortable victory.
But as has been the pattern for Memphis this season, holding onto leads has proven elusive. The Nets, despite missing key forward Michael Porter Jr. due to rest and still without the services of Drake Powell (knee), clawed back into contention. Egor Demin, coming off a 19-point, five-three-pointer performance against the Clippers, was expected to help Brooklyn attack the paint—an area where Memphis has struggled, allowing opponents to shoot 68.8% inside the restricted area, among the league's highest marks.
Noah Clowney, the Nets' promising young big man, drew the tough assignment of guarding Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies' centerpiece in the wake of Ja Morant's extended absence. Clowney, who has impressed Brooklyn's staff with his flashes of two-way potential, stepped up offensively as well, finishing as the Nets' top scorer with 17 points. Cam Thomas, now the leading man off the bench for Brooklyn, was counted on to provide a scoring spark, though the Nets' offense at times sputtered without Porter Jr.'s presence.
On the Grizzlies' side, the injury list remained daunting. Ja Morant (calf), Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe), Ty Jerome (calf), Zach Edey (ankle), and Brandon Clarke (calf) were all sidelined, while John Konchar was a game-time decision as he continued to recover from thumb surgery. The depleted roster put even more pressure on Jackson Jr. to deliver. According to Grizzly Bear Blues, "the fact that the rest of the roster had clear understanding that Jackson Jr. was exploiting those mismatches was just as important to his success." The All-Star forward has been taking more shots closer to the rim this season, a positive trend for a Memphis team in transition.
The game itself, however, was anything but straightforward. After falling behind early, Brooklyn rallied, and the contest turned into a gritty, back-and-forth affair. By the final three minutes, the Nets had seized an eight-point lead, threatening to spoil the Grizzlies' afternoon and send the home fans home disappointed. But Memphis, showing a resilience that had been lacking in recent games, found another gear.
In a stunning turn, the Grizzlies rattled off the final 13 points of the game, shutting out the Nets in the closing minutes and flipping what looked like a sure defeat into a thrilling 103-98 victory. Coward, the rookie sensation, finished with a team-high 21 points, capping a breakout performance that had the FedExForum crowd buzzing. Jock Landale also contributed, leading Memphis with 14 points at halftime and providing critical minutes down the stretch.
Memphis' comeback was fueled by defensive intensity and timely execution. The Nets, who had been 1-3 against the spread as underdogs in their previous four games, simply couldn't manufacture a response when it mattered most. The result marked another tough loss for Brooklyn, dropping them to 11-25 on the season, while Memphis improved to 17-22. For a Grizzlies squad that had let leads slip away in recent outings—including a painful 117-116 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder after holding a 21-point second-half advantage—this was a cathartic reversal of fortune.
The game also unfolded against a backdrop of major organizational change for Memphis. Reports surfaced on Friday afternoon that the Grizzlies are actively exploring trades for Ja Morant, their former franchise cornerstone. Morant's on-court value and reputation have taken hits in recent months, and it appears both player and team are preparing to part ways. "Morant’s time in Memphis is likely up, and I’m sure he and the team will look back with regret at the missed opportunities they had to become a new power in the Western Conference," noted Gotham Sports. The responsibility to lead now falls squarely on Jackson Jr. and the new wave of Grizzlies talent.
For Brooklyn, the defeat underscored the challenges of relying on a young, developing core amid injuries and lineup shuffles. The absence of Porter Jr. was keenly felt, as the Nets struggled to generate offense in crucial moments. Yet, the emergence of players like Clowney and Demin offers hope for the future. Brooklyn's next test comes quickly, as they prepare to face Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks on January 13—a matchup that will again test the resolve of this rebuilding squad.
Looking ahead, the Grizzlies embark on a two-game European slate against the Orlando Magic, beginning January 15 at Uber Arena in Berlin. That contest will feature an emotional reunion with former Memphis guard Desmond Bane, who spent five seasons with the Grizzlies before being traded to Orlando in June 2025. The matchup adds another layer of intrigue as Memphis seeks to build on the momentum of their hard-fought victory over Brooklyn.
As the dust settled at FedExForum, one thing was clear: the Grizzlies, despite adversity and swirling trade rumors, found a way to close out a game that seemed all but lost. For the Nets, the search for consistency and late-game execution continues. Both teams, navigating injuries and shifting identities, will look to build on the lessons of this dramatic encounter as the NBA season rolls on.