Jaren Jackson Jr. Shines with Season-High 39 Points, Leading Shorthanded Grizzlies Past Wizards.
Jaren Jackson Jr. takes home our MVP of the Day after an outstanding performance that powered the Memphis Grizzlies to a 128-104 victory over the Washington Wizards. Jackson scored a season-high 39 points, leading Memphis in a critical game with several key players sidelined.
Jackson’s scoring showcased his range and efficiency, as he made 14 of 28 shots, including 5 of 12 from beyond the arc. His relentless offensive pressure set the tone early, and by halftime, he had already notched 21 points, helping Memphis build a substantial lead that Washington could not overcome.
The Grizzlies were missing Ja Morant, who suffered a right hip injury in Wednesday’s win over the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as Desmond Bane (oblique) and Marcus Smart (ankle). Despite these absences, Jackson’s leadership and scoring lifted Memphis to its third straight home win.
Scotty Pippen Jr., stepping in as the starting point guard, registered his first career triple-double with 11 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. Zach Edey contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, while Santi Aldama and Jay Huff each added 12 points.
Memphis took control early, ending the first quarter with an 18-point lead after a 21-4 run capped by a three-pointer from Edey. Their momentum continued in the second quarter, extending the lead to 23 points at 64-41 following two free throws by Huff.
The Grizzlies shot 50 percent from the field (24-for-48) in the first half and dished out 18 assists. Meanwhile, Washington’s efforts were hindered by 13 first-half turnovers and being out-rebounded 23-18.
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The Memphis Grizzlies franchise, now in its 29th season and 23rd in Memphis, has seen only a select few players reach the 6,000-point milestone. Jaren Jackson Jr. has joined this elite group, which includes Mike Conley Jr., Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Pau Gasol, Rudy Gay, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Notably, all but Abdur-Rahim accomplished this feat after the team’s relocation from Vancouver in 2001.
Jackson was pivotal in bridging the team’s transition from the “Core Four” era—having played one season with Conley and Marc Gasol—before the arrival of Ja Morant. Now, Jackson, Morant, and Desmond Bane form the next generation leading the Grizzlies toward greater ambitions.
Morant, who is just 52 points shy of joining the 6,000-point club, adds an element of friendly competition for Jackson as they vie for higher rankings on the Grizzlies’ all-time scoring list. However, the immediate focus remains on overcoming the current injury challenges facing the team and staying competitive in the Western Conference.
Jackson’s accolades include being named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2021-22 and earning the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022-23, a season in which he also made his first All-Star appearance. That year, he averaged a career-high 22.5 points per game as the team’s most reliable and healthiest player.
This season, after missing the first two games, Jackson has maintained impressive form. He is averaging 22.0 points while shooting a career-high 55.9% from the field, including 40.5% from three-point range, showcasing his complete offensive package and continued growth as a leader for Memphis.
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