The Denver Nuggets held off a scrappy Memphis Grizzlies squad on Wednesday night, coming away with a 122-116 win at Ball Arena. While the Nuggets' veteran core did what it needed to do to secure their 35th win of the season, it was a young Grizzlies guard who quietly turned some heads.
Jahmai Mashack, a name Tennessee Volunteers fans know well, made just his second career NBA start - and he made his presence felt. In 22 minutes on the floor, Mashack chipped in nine points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.
He wasn’t lights-out from the field (4-of-11 overall, 1-of-5 from deep), but what stood out was his activity on both ends of the court. He brought the kind of defensive energy that’s been his calling card since college, and Memphis needed every bit of it against a high-powered Denver offense.
Mashack’s path to this point hasn’t been flashy, but it’s been steady. After being taken with the final pick in the 2025 NBA Draft - 59th overall - by the Grizzlies, he signed a two-way deal on November 16.
That meant splitting time between the Grizzlies and their G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. He started the season in the G League, where he posted solid numbers: 7.6 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.4 steals per game across five outings.
Those numbers, particularly the defensive ones, helped earn him a call-up to the big club.
And the defensive chops are no fluke. At 6-foot-4 and 202 pounds, Mashack brings a physical, disruptive presence on the perimeter.
That’s been his identity since his college days at Tennessee, where he played in 137 games over four seasons and earned a reputation as one of the SEC’s toughest defenders. He capped off his collegiate career in 2025 as a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year finalist and an SEC All-Defensive Team selection.
Now, he’s carving out a role in Memphis - a team that’s been forced to get creative with its rotation due to injuries and roster changes. The Grizzlies have leaned on young talent throughout the season, and Mashack is starting to show he might be more than just a depth piece. His defensive instincts, effort, and willingness to do the little things could make him a valuable asset in a developmental year for Memphis.
The Grizzlies, now 20-33, will get a few days to regroup before their next matchup. They’ll host the Utah Jazz on February 20 at FedEx Forum, with tipoff set for 7 p.m.
EST. For Mashack, it’s another opportunity to build on what’s already been a promising start to his NBA journey.