One explosive fourth-quarter surge just flipped an entire NBA Cup storyline on its head. The Memphis Grizzlies stormed back on the road to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 112–107, capping a wild group-stage run that somehow still wasn’t enough to push them into the knockout round. And this is the part most casual fans will miss: Memphis played well enough to advance, but a tiebreaker they couldn’t control shut the door.
Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 24 points, pouring in 16 of those after halftime as he led Memphis’ comeback in Inglewood on Friday night in the final NBA Cup group game for both teams. His second-half scoring surge helped the Grizzlies erase a double-digit deficit and secure yet another resilient road win, reinforcing his role as the go-to option when the offense needs a lift.
The Grizzlies closed out the night having won four of their last five games, including three straight on the road after previously dropping five consecutive away contests. That kind of swing—from a long road slump to a genuine road winning streak—highlights how quickly momentum can shift in an NBA season, especially for a team still searching for its identity.
NBA Cup stakes and heartbreak
Memphis wrapped up NBA Cup group play with a strong 3–1 record in West Group B, a mark that usually screams “knockout round.” But here’s where it gets controversial: despite that success, they missed out on a wild-card spot because the Phoenix Suns owned a superior point differential, the key tiebreaker in the in-season tournament format.
This raises a fiery question many fans are still debating: should a team that wins three out of four games really be eliminated on the basis of margin of victory instead of head-to-head or overall form? Some will argue point differential encourages teams to keep competing hard until the final buzzer, while others see it as punishing squads that win close, tough games rather than blowing opponents out.
Key contributors for Memphis
Jackson wasn’t alone in powering the Grizzlies’ late surge, as multiple role players stepped up with timely offense and energy. Vincent Williams Jr. added 16 points, giving Memphis a much-needed secondary scoring punch, while Santi Aldama came off the bench to chip in 13 points and stabilize the second unit’s production.
Perhaps the most eye-popping stat of the night came from Zach Edey, who dominated the glass with 21 rebounds while also scoring five points. Even though his scoring total was modest, that kind of rebounding performance can completely tilt a game, creating extra possessions and limiting second chances for an opponent built around elite shot-makers.
Clippers stars and home struggles
On the other side, Kawhi Leonard delivered a monster scoring night, dropping 39 points in just 29 minutes for the Clippers. His efficiency and burst reminded everyone why he’s still considered one of the league’s most lethal two-way stars, even as the team struggles to turn his production into wins.
James Harden backed him up with 23 points, giving Los Angeles a potent one-two scoring combo that, on paper, should be enough to close out games at home. But here’s the twist most people overlook: despite these standout box-score performances, the Clippers have now lost six straight at Intuit Dome, with their last home win coming all the way back on October 31.
How the game unfolded
Memphis had trouble finding an offensive rhythm in the first half, often settling for jumpers and needing outside shooting to stay within striking distance. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was crucial in that stretch, using his perimeter shot to inject some much-needed life into an otherwise stagnant Grizzlies attack.
The game flipped in the third quarter, when Memphis finally discovered a groove and started chipping away at what had been a 16-point Clippers lead. By the end of the period, the Grizzlies had trimmed the deficit to just three at 81–78, setting the stage for a tense final 12 minutes.
The decisive fourth quarter
Carrying the momentum from their third-quarter push, the Grizzlies seized control early in the fourth. Cedric Coward delivered a pivotal moment by giving Memphis its first lead of the night, a psychological blow to a Clippers team that had controlled the game for long stretches.
From there, Jackson’s scoring, Edey’s rebounding, and steady contributions from the supporting cast allowed Memphis to close the door in the final minutes. The Grizzlies outscored the Clippers by eight points in the fourth quarter, a margin that proved decisive in turning a likely home win for Los Angeles into a stinging collapse.
Clippers’ hot start, cold finish
The Clippers opened the game on fire from deep, drilling three three-pointers right out of the gate and going 6-for-9 from beyond the arc in the first quarter. That early barrage created separation and made it look as though Los Angeles might cruise to a comfortable home victory.
But here’s where it gets interesting: that shooting magic didn’t last. By the final buzzer, the Clippers had cooled off significantly, finishing just 12-for-38 from long range, a 31.6% mark that undercut their early success and opened the door for Memphis’ comeback.
Chris Paul’s emotional moment
Beyond the box score, the night carried extra emotional weight because of Chris Paul’s situation and legacy. In his first home game since announcing that he will retire at the end of the season, the veteran point guard received a video tribute that acknowledged his long, influential career and impact on the franchise and the league.
On the floor, Paul played 15 minutes, finishing with five points and two rebounds. For many fans, though, the numbers were secondary to the moment itself—a chance to celebrate a future Hall of Famer on his farewell tour, even as the team around him struggles to find consistent form.
What’s next on the schedule
The Grizzlies will try to keep their positive momentum rolling as they head to Sacramento for a Sunday matchup against the Kings. That game offers Memphis another test against a Western Conference opponent known for its fast-paced offense and tough home environment.
The Clippers, meanwhile, will not have much time to regroup before they host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. Given their ongoing home skid, that showdown becomes even more crucial, both for standings purposes and for restoring some confidence at Intuit Dome.
A few big questions for fans
Point differential kept a 3–1 Memphis team out of the NBA Cup knockout round—is that a fair way to decide who advances, or should the league rethink the tiebreaker system? And when a team like the Clippers gets huge nights from stars such as Leonard and Harden yet still can’t win at home, is the real issue roster construction, coaching, or simple bad luck?
Most importantly, where do you stand on this: do close, grind-it-out wins deserve as much reward as blowout victories in tournaments that use point differential? Should the NBA reward “style points,” or should a win simply be a win? Share whether you agree or disagree in the comments—and don’t hold back if you think the current format is broken or if you believe it adds just the right amount of drama to the season.
