Timberwolves’ Towns thanks Grizzlies after playoff ouster
Karl-anthony Towns and Ja Morant embraced in the moments after the Memphis Grizzlieswon Game 6 Friday. Minutes later, their fathers enjoyed one more friendly TV moment at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Towns’ father Karl Sr. honored his bet with Tee Morant by wearing the younger Morant’s jersey after his postgame ESPN interview. Both fathers posed for pictures one last time as Morant and the Grizzlies celebrated.
Respect followed the sweat. The Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference semifinals with a 114-106 victory and a 4-2 series win with the Golden State Warriors next. The Timberwolves’ season was over and Towns, before leaving the court, applauded the fans and blew kisses to honor them.
During his nearly four-minute opening statement, Towns praised the Grizzlies among his reflections from the end of his seventh season.
“Being totally honest, I thank the Grizzlies for making us a better team, for us giving good fight, good series,” Towns said. “I think we all knew what this series was going to be and I think both teas showed why they deserve to be in the playoffs and why they deserve to have this chance to show what they can do.”
A season ago, it was the Grizzlies as the young low-seeded team making their first playoff trip in four seasons. This time, the Timberwolves were the playoff newcomers after a seven-year absence.
The Grizzlies used those scars Friday to help rally from a double-digit, fourth-quarter deficit for a third game this series. It was a teaching moment and forward Anthony Edwards took it as such.
“I think it comes with experience. They were there last year and they were the same way, having leads and letting games slip away,” Edwards said. “We were just not as experienced as them. It happens. Every game we won besides the second game, we just had bad shots and turnovers.”
Minnesota made 14 more 3-pointers in the series but the Grizzlies won the free throws, rebounds and turnovers battle. The details mattered and it helped the Grizzlies dig deep for their first playoff series win since 2015.
The Timberwolves could only salute and learn after being eliminated.
“Got to give them credit. They did enough of what was needed to win and take nothing from them,” Towns said.