National Basketball Association
Memphis 118, San Antonio 105
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, February 28, 2022
Where: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
Officials: #71 Rodney Mott, #51 Aaron Smith, #77 Karl Lane
Attendance: 16812

Ja Morant notched franchise records with 52 points and 22 field goals to lift the host Memphis Grizzlies to a 118-105 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

The impressive display came two days after Morant scored a franchise regular-season-record 46 points in a victory over the Chicago Bulls. His previous career high for any contest was 47 in a playoff loss to the Utah Jazz last season.

Morant provided a number of signature moments on Monday, including an emphatic dunk over Jakob Poeltl late in the second quarter and a buzzer-beating jumper to give the Grizzlies a 68-58 lead at halftime.

De'Anthony Melton scored 15 points for Memphis, which recorded its 11th win in 14 outings overall and prevented San Antonio's Gregg Popovich from tying Hall of Famer Don Nelson's NBA record for regular-season coaching victories (1,335).

Tyus Jones added 13 points for the Grizzlies, who shot 53.9 percent from the floor -- including 42.3 percent (11 of 26) from 3-point range -- to record their third win in as many outings against the Spurs this season.

San Antonio's Lonnie Walker IV scored 15 of his 22 points in the first half.

Dejounte Murray put up 21 points in his return from a one-game absence caused by a knee injury.

Poeltl collected 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who completed their lengthy road trip with a 4-4 record.

Zach Collins made a pair of free throws to cut Memphis' lead to 86-85 with 3:02 remaining in the third before the Grizzlies countered with an 10-0 run to end the quarter.

San Antonio exploited the interior before Murray's pullup jumper cut the deficit to five points with 5:59 left in the fourth quarter. Undaunted, Morant had an offensive rebound and a put-back, a free throw and four layups on the next six possessions to push Memphis' advantage to 115-101 with 3:09 to play.

Morant capped his night by making technical free throw and another shot from the charity stripe after Murray was ejected with 2:24 to play.

San Antonio trailed by 11 before cutting the Grizzlies' lead to 51-50 with 5:18 to play in the second quarter before Morant continued his onslaught. He sank three 3-pointers and three additional baskets prior to halftime.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
San Antonio   Memphis
Lonnie Walker IV 22 Scoring Ja Morant 52
Dejounte Murray 8 Assists Kyle Anderson 6
Jakob Poeltl 10 Rebounds Steven Adams 14
Zach Collins 4 Free Throws Made De'Anthony Melton 5
Dejounte Murray 3 Steals Jaren Jackson Jr. 2
Keldon Johnson 1 Blocks Steven Adams 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
San Antonio 105 41.4 9-32 14-19 30 38 3 13 9
Memphis 118 53.9 11-26 11-19 24 55 6 5 18
Upcoming Games
  • Memphis will play their next game on the road against Boston. The Grizzlies have a W/L % of .690 after a win and .667 after a loss.
  • San Antonio will play their next game at home against Sacramento. The Spurs have a W/L % of .320 after a win and .432 after a loss.