Grizzlies lose fifth straight, Randolph in attendance
The Grizzlies’ first home game since Feb. 12 brought back a special guest — former player and team legend Zach Randolph.
Randolph, in his first appearance at Fedexforum since his retirement on Dec. 27, received a standing ovation after the first quarter. He sat next to former teammate Tony Allen as he took in the game.
But not even Randolph’s presence could stop the Grizzlies’ post All-star break slide. Despite a late rally, the Grizzlies’ losing streak reached five games after losing 104-101 to the Kings.
The Grizzlies (28-31) saw the limits of their depth as they played just eight players after halftime. With Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke out, Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks had each their season highs in minutes with 35 and 40, respectively.
Brooks continued to break free from his slump with a season-high 32 points. Morant had his 10th doubledouble of the season with 20 points and 11 assists. Jonas Valanciunas had a career-high 25 rebounds.
It wasn’t enough as the Grizzlies
have yet to win since Feb. 12.
Randolph’s return, as usual, reminded Grizzlies fans of the legacy he helped build during his stint from 2009-17. During an interview on Fox Sports, he said that he and would be an ambassador for the franchise going forward.
He still watches the team on NBA League Pass and was excited about their future.
“We special. We got a young group of special guys and we’re going to make some noise,” Randolph said on Fox Sports during the game.
Late in the fourth quarter, he became part of the noise after Valanciunas and Harry Giles III got tangled under the basket with 5:31 left. As both got double technical fouls, Randolph rose to his feet along with the crowd.
Morant walked by the scorer’s table and yelled to the crowd to get even louder. He yelled at Randolph and Allen as well, as if asking to summon the energy of Grizzlies’ past.
It almost worked. Trailing 100-91, the Grizzlies went on a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to one with 10.1 seconds left. But after Buddy Hield made two free throws, Tyus Jones shot a contested 3-pointer that missed as the buzzer sounded.
The team’s promise is still bright and Randolph will help with that off the court. But as the Grizzlies’ lead for the No. 8 seed in the West dropped to two games over the New Orleans Pelicans, the present remained an ugly picture that won’t get better with the Lakers in town Saturday night.
You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_b) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com