Jackson Jr. Powers Grizzlies to Shocking Victory Over Bucks

Jackson’s second-half surge was pivotal, scoring 25 of his total points and hitting key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to seal the Grizzlies’ fifth consecutive win against Milwaukee. His shooting efficiency was on display, making 14 of 26 attempts.

“I was taking what the defense gives me,” Jackson said. “I’ve been working on my game a lot and I was glad to get the opportunity to get out there and show it a little bit.”

Brook Lopez led the Bucks with a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Giannis Antetokounmpo added 21 points, alongside seven rebounds and eight assists. Contributions also came from Bobby Portis and Malik Beasley, who scored 19 and 10 points, respectively.

Post-game, Bucks coach Doc Rivers expressed concern for Antetokounmpo’s health, especially after the star played 32 minutes behind a triple-double performance the previous night.

“Honestly, and I’m not kidding, there were times in the middle of the third (quarter), I wanted to take him out of the game,” Rivers said. “I thought he was running on fumes. As a coach, you have to make a judgment call sometimes.

“Medical makes the call. They kept saying he’s OK. But I have eyes. I just didn’t like the way he was moving. He kept asking to go back in. But I wish I had just said, no, honestly.”

The injury woes extended on both sides, with the Grizzlies missing key players such as Ja Morant and Desmond Bane and the Bucks without Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, and Patrick Beverley due to injuries.

For Memphis, GG Jackson and Brandon Clarke made notable contributions, with Clarke’s return from an Achilles tendon injury adding a boost to the team. The Grizzlies’ strategy of dominating inside paid off. They outscored the Bucks 76-36 in the paint, leveraging Jackson’s size and skill to disrupt Milwaukee’s defense.

“We got beat off the dribble a ton, and just not by their guards, by their bigs as well,” Rivers noted. “Jaren Jackson turned the whole game around.”

A crucial moment came when Antetokounmpo was benched due to foul trouble. This allowed Memphis to capitalize and turn a six-point deficit into a one-point lead by the end of the third quarter.

The absence of Lillard and Beverley was keenly felt, with Lillard missing his third game due to a groin injury. Rivers shared optimism about Lillard’s potential return, emphasizing caution in decision-making.

Since Rivers took the helm on Jan. 26, replacing Adrian Griffin, the Bucks have rarely seen Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and Lillard play together, underscoring the challenges faced by the team.

Looking ahead, both teams are gearing up for their next matchups, with the Grizzlies hosting Detroit and the Bucks welcoming Toronto on Friday.