Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers come up short in loss against Memphis Grizzlies
Jaren Jackson Jr. had 30 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks, Jake LaRavia had 19 points and 13 rebounds and the Memphis Grizzlies used an 11-0 run late in the fourth quarter to rally to a 115-109 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
The Grizzlies trailed by 12 entering the fourth before getting hot in the final minutes much like they did in a win Monday night at Brooklyn. One of the worst teams in the NBA, Memphis has won two in a row following a five-game losing streak.
The Grizzlies outscored the 76ers 34-16 in the fourth.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led the 76ers with 25 points and Paul Reed had 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Sixers played a second straight game without All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey as he recovers from a concussion. Maxey lost his balance on a drive Sunday in the third quarter of a game at Dallas and banged his head on another player's knee. He left the game, but was able to return and finish. With the Sixers coming off a loss a night earlier at Brooklyn, Maxey was expected to sit this one out, given the NBA's protocols governing returning to play after a concussion.
Coach Nick Nurse said before the game Maxey still experienced "very mild symptoms."
The Sixers have gone a month without reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid and there is still no timetable on his return from knee surgery. While he and Maxey are clearly the biggest names sitting out, the Sixers have been riddled by injuries this season and an expected Eastern Conference contender is now fighting to stay out of the play-in tournament.
Robert Covington hasn't played this calendar year because of a left knee bone bruise and could start on-court activities within a week to 10 days. De'Anthony Melton hasn't played since the end of March with lumbar spine bone stress. The Sixers said ahead of the game that Melton would be evaluated again in two weeks.
The Sixers started three players — Nicolas Batum, Buddy Hield and Cam Payne — who weren't on the opening night roster.
They were forced to rely on guard Jeff Dowtin Jr., who scored 10 in just his second game since he signed a two-way contract. He spent this season with the G League Delaware Blue Coats but did play 25 games last season under Nurse in Toronto.
The Grizzlies are fighting through their own injury woes with Ziaire Williams (hip) and Derrick Rose (groin) recently added to a lengthy list of achy players that included All-Star Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart. While the Grizzlies weren't necessarily expected to contend for a playoff spot, the injuries wreaked havoc with their rotations and had them ahead of only Portland and San Antonio in the Western Conference standings.
In a matchup of undermanned teams, Memphis did win its 15th game on the road against only seven at home. Vince Williams Jr., who had 17 points and nine assists, put the Grizzlies ahead 105-104 with a pair of free throws and they never trailed again.
UP NEXT
Grizzlies: Host Atlanta on Friday.
76ers: Host Pelicans on Friday.
