The Memphis Grizzlies came into Portland riding the momentum of two spirited wins to open February, but that energy fizzled fast in a 135-115 loss to the Trail Blazers. Despite the return of Scotty Pippen Jr., the Grizzlies' glaring lack of size and depth in the frontcourt proved too much to overcome. Against a Blazers squad that thrives on exploiting mismatches, Memphis simply didn’t have the personnel to keep pace.
A Promising Start, Then the Bottom Fell Out
Early on, it looked like the Grizzlies might keep the good vibes rolling. The ball was moving, the energy was high, and they hung tight through the first quarter and into the early second. But as the game wore on, the cracks in Memphis' roster started to show-and Portland took full advantage.
The Grizzlies, already without Zach Edey, were also missing Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jock Landale, leaving them painfully thin at center. Santi Aldama is still dealing with a right knee injury, and Kyle Anderson was sidelined with an illness. That left Memphis with no active player taller than 6'9", and it showed-especially on the defensive end.
Defensive Breakdown: No Size, No Stops
Without their usual rim protection, the Grizzlies' defense struggled to hold the line. Portland shot the lights out from beyond the arc, knocking down 17 threes, and that spacing opened up the interior for easy buckets. What started as a manageable four-point halftime deficit turned into a second-half collapse, with the Blazers pouring in 66 points after the break and building a lead that ballooned to 30.
It wasn’t just a matter of missing blocks or rebounds-the lack of interior presence had a ripple effect. Perimeter defenders had to overcompensate, rotations broke down, and Portland capitalized with clean looks all over the floor. The Grizzlies simply didn’t have the length or physicality to disrupt the Blazers’ rhythm.
Offense Shows Glimpses, But Not Enough
Offensively, there were a few bright spots. GG Jackson II continues to make the most of his minutes, dropping 15 points in another efficient outing. While he wasn’t featured heavily in the offense, he made his touches count.
Scotty Pippen Jr. returned from injury and, though still shaking off some rust, reminded everyone what he brings to the table. In just 22 minutes, he posted 13 points and six assists-numbers that speak to his ability to steady the offense and create for others. His presence has been missed, and it’s clear he’ll be a key piece moving forward.
Cam Spencer chipped in with 18 points, and Walter Clayton Jr. made a solid debut with 11 points of his own. The Grizzlies finished with 115 points, but much of that came in low-leverage minutes when the game was already out of reach. The offense showed flashes, but it wasn’t sharp or consistent enough to keep Memphis in the game once the defensive dam broke.
Looking Ahead: A Tough Stretch Before the Break
With the loss, the Grizzlies drop to 20-30 on the season and sit at 1-1 on their current road trip. They’ll get another crack at Portland before heading to face Golden State and Denver-two teams that won’t cut them any slack, especially with the roster still in flux.
The reality is this: until Memphis gets healthier-and bigger-it’s going to be tough to string together wins. The offense may find its footing on some nights, but without rim protection and defensive anchors, it’s hard to see them holding up against well-rounded teams.
The All-Star break can’t come soon enough. For now, the Grizzlies are fighting to stay competitive, but the margin for error is razor-thin.