Ty Jerome scored 40 points but missed a potential game-winning shot as the Memphis Grizzlies lost 135-134 to the New Orleans Pelicans in overtime on Monday, Nov. 2. After Memphis’ first defeat of the season, Jerome called the loss a wake-up call and pointed to rebounding, turnovers and physicality as areas that need immediate improvement.
Memphis entered the game 6-0, matching the best start in franchise history, before New Orleans ended its winning streak. The Grizzlies also lost the possession battle, taking 91 shots to the Pelicans’ 101.
“I think just the possession game,” Jerome said. “Like, we got to rebound the basketball, trim down some turnovers. They got 101, 91. They got 10 more shots than us. We lose by a possession. So I think that’s where we start immediately.”
Jerome also criticized Memphis’ first-half approach, particularly its work on the boards, transition defense and activity in the gaps.
“Stuff like that can’t happen,” he said. “The minute we start to think we want a few, we can relax a little bit, we’re not going to beat anybody doing that, not in this league. We all got to look in the mirror and just figure it out. We’ll stay together.”
The guard helped Memphis erase a nine-point deficit in the final 1:43 of regulation, scoring nine consecutive points to tie the game at 124. However, his 15-foot attempt at the end of overtime missed.
Asked about the final possession, Jerome took responsibility for the result.
“Yeah, honestly, just a bad move,” he said. “Like, foul, not a foul, doesn’t really matter. Like, I got to get a better move off in the end of the game. It really comes down to that. Just make a better move and knock down the shot.”
Jerome said the defeat would carry a different lesson than the close games Memphis won earlier in its 6-0 start.
“You know what? It’s funny, right? Because you say you want to learn in wins and losses. It’s a different feeling when you lose,” he said. “So we’ll definitely feel this one more. We’ll definitely dig deeper more. A little bit of a wake-up call.”
He also stressed that Memphis’ results would depend on its ability to win the rebounding battle.
“If we’re not going to rebound the basketball, we’re going to get out-rebounded, we’re going to lose the possession game, we’re not going to win many games,” Jerome said.
The guard explained that his late-game scoring run came from recognizing when teammates should get him the ball rather than forcing shots throughout the game.
“Usually taking what the defense gives me,” Jerome said. “The flow of the game, no matter how hot anybody is, we’re playing team basketball, we’re pushing the ball. And I think in crunch time is when you kind of get to what’s working.”
Jerome also praised Isaiah Stewart, who finished with 14 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes, for his leadership and response during the postgame confrontation between the teams.
“That’s who he is, man. He’s our leader. He’s a veteran presence. He’s been playing his ass off,” Jerome said. “He’s an unbelievable pickup for us. When we traded for him in the summer, I was super excited.”
Jerome said Memphis did not need a major speech to respond to its first defeat, pointing instead to the team’s maturity and willingness to review its mistakes.
“Everyone will look in the mirror, starts with myself,” he said. “And tomorrow we’ll all come in the building and see what we need to improve on from the game. And we’ll get better together.”
Memphis hosts the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
