Atlanta pulled off a dramatic win over Memphis with a play that will live long in the memory of NBA fans. Caris LeVert played hero by stealing the ball and scoring at the buzzer, giving the Hawks a 132-130 win in a game in which the visitors showed resilience until the last second.
A Difficult Start For The Grizzlies
Memphis started the game with some bad news. Early in the game, Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered a left ankle injury while trying to block a shot, forcing the Grizzlies to adjust their strategy quickly. Without Ja Morant and Santi Aldama due to injury, the team was without a key player on both sides of the court.
Despite this blow, the Grizzlies found in Desmond Bane their offensive leader. The shooting guard took control of the offense and became the main reference on the court. With his scoring ability and vision, he kept Memphis in the fight all night long, leading an offense that found in Luke Kennard another important support.
On the other hand, Atlanta had a somewhat imprecise start, but Zaccharie Risacher began to stand out with his aggressiveness in attack. The young player finished as his team's top scorer, showing his ability to contribute in key moments.
Exchanging blows and a thrilling denouement
As the minutes passed, the game became a back-and-forth duel. The Hawks bet on a fast-paced game, looking to take advantage of their strength in the paint, while Memphis responded with their effectiveness from the perimeter. Desmond Bane not only scored, but also distributed play, achieving the first triple-double of his career with 35 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
In the final quarter, the intensity was turned up a notch. Atlanta needed a reaction to prevent the Grizzlies from taking the win at home, and Caris LeVert took the offensive responsibility. With 16 points in the final period, he led the Hawks' comeback as they closed the gap in the decisive minutes.
With less than three seconds left on the clock and the score tied, Dyson Daniels stole the ball from Bane, giving LeVert the opportunity to run the length of the court and finish with a last-second layup. The play was reviewed by the referees, who confirmed that the shot was before the buzzer, sealing the victory for the visitors.
A Key Win in the Play-in Fight
For the Hawks, this win represents an important step in their fight to secure a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Currently in ninth place, the Atlanta team maintains a lead over its pursuers and remains in the race for a playoff berth.
Trae Young, although he had a discreet night in scoring with 12 points, was key with 15 assists, showing his ability to lead his team's game. Onyeka Okongwu was also fundamental with his presence in the paint, adding a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Quin Snyder's team has proven that it can compete in high-pressure moments, and these types of wins bolster the group's confidence heading into the final stretch of the season. With important games on the horizon, the Hawks will look to keep the momentum going and continue to add wins.
Memphis Continues to Slump and Looks to React
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are going through a complicated moment. With this loss, they have lost three in a row in which they have fallen in the final seconds. Before this game, they had already suffered close losses against the Knicks and the Spurs, which reflects the difficulty they have had in closing out games in the final moments.
The absence of Morant continues to be felt, and although Bane stepped up as the team's leader, the absence of key players limited Memphis' options in decisive moments. Without Jackson Jr. on the court from the opening minutes, the defense suffered, and despite the team's effort, they were unable to stop Atlanta in the final moments.
Taylor Jenkins' team will now need to regroup and find solutions to avoid continuing to lose games in this fashion. With a challenging schedule ahead, Memphis needs to react quickly if they want to stay competitive in the West.
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What's Next for Both Teams
The Hawks will not have much time to celebrate this victory, as on Tuesday they will host the Bucks in a key matchup for their Eastern Conference aspirations. It will be a demanding test for a team that is still looking to consolidate its playoff aspirations.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies will close out their five-game home series against the Thunder on Wednesday. Memphis is in desperate need of a win to break its negative streak and regain confidence heading into the final stretch of the season.
