Grizzlies’ 49-point second quarter carries preseason win over Hawks

The Memphis Grizzlies scored 49 points in the second quarter and beat the Atlanta Hawks 132–123 on Monday at State Farm Arena. The preseason opener provided an early look at Memphis's reshaped group, with contributions spread across the roster across 18 players who logged minutes.

Atlanta initially had the better start. The Hawks led by as many as 11 points and finished the first quarter ahead 35–32. Memphis then outscored them 49–26 in the second, turning a three-point deficit into an 81–61 halftime lead.

GG Jackson led the Grizzlies with 14 points in 16 minutes in the final ESPN box score. He made five of seven shots and two of four three-pointers. Jaylen Wells and Ty Jerome each scored 12, with Wells making four of six attempts from beyond the arc and Jerome adding five assists in 15 minutes.

Cameron Boozer scored 11 points in 18 minutes, shooting five of nine. He also had five rebounds, four assists and two steals. The Commercial Appeal's game report highlighted his ability to score inside and with a turnaround jumper as part of the first preseason look at the rookie forward.

Cedric Coward contributed nine points, five rebounds and four assists in 18 minutes. Quinten Post made two three-pointers and finished with eight points and four rebounds in 12 minutes. Jerami Grant supplied 10 points and four rebounds in 14 minutes, including five made free throws.

The distribution extended to the guards coming off the bench. Scotty Pippen Jr. had 10 points and four assists in 16 minutes. Cam Spencer scored eight while making two three-pointers, and Javon Small added eight points and four assists. No Grizzlies player logged more than Taylor Hendricks' 19 minutes in the box score.

Atlanta improved after halftime. The Hawks won the third quarter 37–29 and entered the fourth trailing 110–98. Corey Kispert finished with a team-high 19 points, making seven of 11 shots and four of seven three-pointers in 20 minutes. Asa Newell had 12 points and 12 rebounds, including five offensive boards, in 22 minutes.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker supplied 14 points on six-of-nine shooting for Atlanta. Kingston Flemings had 11 points in 25 minutes. Jalen Wilson and RayJ Dennis each added 12 as the Hawks' later groups reduced the halftime margin.

Memphis nevertheless retained enough offense to finish. Walter Clayton Jr. made two free throws with 31.4 seconds left to establish the final nine-point margin. The Grizzlies made 18 of 43 three-pointers overall, against Atlanta's 14 of 43, and finished with 32 assists to the Hawks' 25.

Memphis finished with 27 fast-break points to Atlanta's 16 and shot 43 of 83 from the field. Atlanta made the same number of field goals in 94 attempts. The Hawks had more offensive rebounds, 14–9, but Memphis's extra three-pointers and 28 made free throws preserved the lead through the final quarter.