The Memphis Grizzlies finally got the weight off their shoulders.
After six straight losses and a brutal stretch of schedule congestion, travel fatigue, and the lingering effects of their early-season trip to Europe, the Grizzlies found some much-needed relief with a win over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves. It wasn’t just a win-it was a sigh of collective relief, a reminder of what this team is capable of when the pieces start to click.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the charge with a 30-point performance, showcasing the kind of offensive firepower that makes him such a key piece of Memphis’ long-term puzzle. Rookie Cedric Coward continues to push through the so-called “rookie wall,” showing flashes of maturity and composure beyond his years. And Ty Jerome stepped up in the clutch, helping steady the ship when things got tight.
But for head coach Tuomas Iisalo, the significance of the night went beyond the box score.
“I think it's a longer process than just the last game,” Iisalo said postgame, alluding to the deeper grind his team has endured. “The past few weeks have been very, very physically taxing with the travel and the game schedule.
And also emotionally, like when we were in Europe, there was extra stuff going on around. I know that was a lot.”
That trip overseas? It took more out of this group than anyone anticipated.
Between the time zone shifts, the off-court obligations, and the simple reality of being away from home for an extended stretch, the impact lingered. And once they returned stateside, the schedule didn’t let up.
Memphis found itself in survival mode, often having to choose between practice time and recovery.
“You kind of try to balance the load between practicing and making sure that guys are recovered for the games,” Iisalo explained. “We had to make some compromises, and now we've for the past maybe week or so, been able to again start to practice.”
That return to a more normal rhythm-where the team can actually practice rather than just recover-is a big deal. With about three dozen games left on the calendar, Memphis is fighting for a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Every game matters. And while moral victories might have been enough earlier in the season, the math is different now.
Progress has to show up in the standings.
Still, there’s a sense that something real is building.
“The guys' commitment has been great, but it never happens right away,” Iisalo noted. “There's been some positive developments.
If you saw how the guys, for example, work today in the shootaround and how they're going about their craft, it's pretty impressive. I'm very happy for them (after the win over the Timberwolves).”
That buy-in? That’s been the anchor.
Through the losses, through the fatigue, through the grind, Iisalo and his staff have leaned into the process. No panic.
Just trust-trust that the work will pay off, that the habits will take hold, and that the results will follow.
The win over Minnesota doesn’t erase the challenges of the season. But it does offer a glimmer of what’s possible.
Whether it’s the start of a real turnaround or just a brief break in the clouds, one thing is clear: the Grizzlies are still swinging. And with their practice rhythm returning and their belief intact, they might just be finding their fight again at the right time.