Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 27 points on Saturday night, leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a decisive 124-107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, who were without Joel Embiid and Paul George.
The Grizzlies, now 4-3 on the season, capitalized on the absence of Embiid by dominating inside, scoring 70 points in the paint and outrebounding Philadelphia 52-33. Memphis’s strong rebounding and inside presence allowed them to secure a second straight road win.
Jay Huff added 20 points off the bench, while Ja Morant contributed 18 points and a game-high 12 assists, orchestrating the Grizzlies’ offense effectively.
Philadelphia, struggling in Embiid’s absence, was led by Tyrese Maxey with 23 points and four three-pointers. Maxey’s efforts were not enough to lift the 76ers, who have now lost four of their last five games and remain winless at home this season with an 0-3 record.
Grizzlies forward Zach Edey contributed significantly, adding 10 points and 10 rebounds, and providing the Grizzlies with crucial second-chance opportunities. Santi Aldama also grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds, supporting Memphis’s strong performance on the glass.
Without Embiid to anchor their defense, the Sixers struggled to contain Memphis’s frontcourt. The Grizzlies consistently found high-percentage shots near the rim, exploiting Philadelphia’s defensive gaps and limited depth in the paint.
Philadelphia received some offensive support from Kelly Oubre Jr. and Jared McCain, who scored 14 and 19 points, respectively. However, the Sixers’ bench production was not enough to close the gap after Memphis took a commanding lead in the second half.
The Grizzlies’ defensive pressure led to 14 turnovers by the Sixers, with Morant and Jaylen Wells each recording multiple steals. The Grizzlies’ defense prevented Philadelphia from building any significant momentum, neutralizing their three-point shooting advantage.
Memphis held a double-digit lead for most of the game, utilizing a balanced scoring attack that saw contributions from multiple players. Scotty Pippen Jr. added 12 points and 13 assists off the bench, effectively managing Memphis’s second unit and keeping the team’s offensive flow consistent.
Philadelphia’s starting lineup struggled, as Andre Drummond, filling in for Embiid, scored only four points on 1-of-7 shooting. Drummond’s limited offensive output highlighted the absence of a strong interior scoring option for the Sixers.
