The Memphis Grizzlies have been grinding through one of the tougher stretches of their season-injuries piling up, losses mounting, and a brutal travel schedule that’s tested their depth and resilience. But on a night when they desperately needed a spark, Vince Williams Jr. delivered in a big way. His two-way performance helped Memphis snap a six-game skid and stay within reach of the final NBA Play-In Tournament spot.
And the timing couldn’t have been better.
Tasked with slowing down Minnesota’s Julius Randle, Williams Jr. stepped into the challenge with the kind of grit and versatility that’s quickly making him one of Tuomas Iisalo’s most trusted pieces. The Grizzlies head coach didn’t mince words postgame, calling Williams Jr. a “Swiss Army knife”-and it’s hard to argue.
“Yeah, Vince is a real Swiss Army knife for us,” Iisalo said. “He started the other day exactly because of this, because we felt like he was a very good Randle matchup.
The toughness that he plays with and his length, he can really bother players up and down the lineup. So basically from one to four, and this wasn't the first game where he's done a great job with that.
We definitely need it.”
That trust paid off. Williams Jr. spent most of his 23 minutes glued to Randle, using his length to contest shots, cut off driving lanes, and generally make life miserable for the Timberwolves’ star forward.
Randle still got to the line-he went a perfect 8-for-8 from the stripe-but his efficiency from the field told a different story. Just 5-of-14 overall.
A rough 1-of-6 from deep. And more than a few moments of visible frustration.
Williams Jr. didn’t just lock in defensively-he made his presence felt on the other end too. The 25-year-old wing scored 16 points, including a sharp 4-of-6 from three-point range. He added five assists, two steals, and a rebound, showcasing the kind of all-around game that gives Memphis a much-needed jolt of flexibility, especially with so many key pieces out of the lineup.
This wasn’t just a good game-it was a statement. The Grizzlies needed someone to step up and help them weather the storm, and Williams Jr. did just that. His ability to guard multiple positions, hit timely shots, and make smart plays in transition gives Memphis a new wrinkle as they try to claw their way back into the postseason picture.
The road ahead doesn’t get any easier. Five of the next six games are away from home, echoing the kind of exhausting stretch that’s tested this team all season. But if there’s a silver lining, it’s that Iisalo may have found something in Williams Jr.-a player who can adapt, compete, and give the Grizzlies a fighting chance when things get tough.
In a league where matchups are everything and versatility is king, Vince Williams Jr. is starting to look like the kind of player who can shift the equation. And for a Memphis squad still fighting to stay in the mix, that’s exactly the kind of edge they need.