The Memphis Grizzlies secured a commanding 132-120 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, overcoming a stellar performance by Mark Williams, who posted a career-high 38 points.
Desmond Bane led Memphis with 24 points, shooting an efficient 10 of 15 from the field. Luke Kennard added a season-best 23 points, fueled by seven three-pointers, while Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed 22 points. Ja Morant played the role of facilitator with 16 points and 13 assists, helping the Grizzlies extend their winning streak to four games.
Memphis dominated early, outscoring Charlotte 40-23 in the second quarter to establish a 78-48 halftime lead. This marked the team’s highest-scoring half of the season, as the Grizzlies shot 50% from the floor, including 11 three-pointers. Kennard was particularly lethal in the first half, sinking six of his seven triples.
Williams’ impressive 14-of-18 shooting performance stood out for Charlotte, complemented by 10-of-13 free throws and nine rebounds. LaMelo Ball added 22 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Miles Bridges chipped in 17 points. Despite their efforts, the Hornets saw their three-game winning streak snapped.
Charlotte struggled with efficiency, shooting 42.9% for the game and just 36.4% in the first half. The Hornets also committed 14 turnovers, leading to 21 points for Memphis. By contrast, the Grizzlies thrived in the paint with 32 first-half points and stayed hot from beyond the arc, finishing at 44.7% on three-point attempts.
Even a 12-0 run by the Hornets late in the third quarter wasn’t enough to make a serious dent in Memphis’ lead, which had ballooned to 34 points earlier. The Grizzlies used balanced scoring and depth to maintain control throughout the game.
The Grizzlies, now 29-15, remain one of the league’s hottest teams as they continue to climb the Western Conference standings. The Hornets, at 11-29, will look to regroup after this setback and build on recent improvements.
