Rising Grizzlies star shares how team flipped the switch in standout preseason win

The Memphis Grizzlies survived a roller-coaster contest on Saturday night against the Chicago Bulls.

Receiving countless gut punches from star guard Zach LaVine, Grind City muddled through to a victory thanks to multiple clutch performances by rising stars.

With the 124-121 win, the Grizzlies improved to 2-1 in the 2024 NBA preseason. With two more tune-up games on the slate, the march toward a successful regular season continues.

The difference-making aspect

It has been an emotional start to the year and somewhat of an extension of what riddled the team a season ago. With multiple key players already sustaining injuries, the franchise aims to keep a positive attitude and use the early exhibitions to allow emerging players to receive some valuable playing time.

Minus the 28-year-old Jon Konchar, Memphis trotted out a starting lineup of all players 23 and under on Saturday. Point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. had an off-shooting night but was in double-figures scoring, while forward Jalen Wells and Jake LaRavia led the charge with 44 combined points.

The play of the night was authored by the 21-year-old Wells when he fearlessly elevated for a contested 3-pointer with 9.5 seconds remaining and found nothing but the bottom of the net.

Not to be outdone was the 22-year-old LaRavia. The California native tallied 20 points and a pair of 3-pointers, although he had an off-night shooting. However, he logged 27 minutes and kept up the intensity by getting to the free-throw line, where he shot 8-of-9.

Slow start

Facing a 21-point deficit at one point in the game, it could have been forgivable for a group of young players to throw in the towel and call it a night. Instead, the team’s collective spirit led a ravenous comeback in a thrilling win.

“We were a little bit slow to come out of the game,” LaRavia said after the game. “Coach [Taylor Jenkins] got onto us, and I think you could tell when that flip switched. … We were able to play fast, get stops, get rebounds. Even when they would score, we would get the ball out quick. I thought we were able to play at a really high level there at the end of the game.”

After surrendering 65 first-half points (37 in the second quarter), Memphis locked down defensively when it mattered the most. In the final five minutes, Chicago cashed in just four field goals. With a final opportunity to tie the game at the buzzer, Bulls forward Talen Horton-Tucker missed a 39-foot prayer.

It was a kind of win that instilled confidence in the younger players and set the tone for a strong start to the regular season, which tips off in less than two weeks.

Related: Grizzlies coach shares the status of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.