Jaren Jackson Jr. scored a season-high 39 points to lead the host Memphis Grizzlies – minus injured two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant — to a 128-104 victory Friday night over the Washington Wizards.
Jackson made 14 of 28 field goal attempts, including 5 of 12 from beyond the arc.
Scotty Pippen Jr., starting in place of Morant, finished with 11 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his first career triple-double. Zach Edey added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Santi Aldama and Jay Huff each contributed 12 points.
Memphis won its third straight home game, while the Wizards dropped their seventh straight game at FedExForum.
Washington was led by rookie reserve Kyshawn George, who scored 17 points. Former Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points, while Corey Kispert added 14 off the bench and Carlton Carrington posted a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds).
Morant suffered a right hip injury in Wednesday’s win over the Los Angeles Lakers when he fell hard to the floor following a dunk attempt. Initially announced as a right hamstring injury, it was changed to a hip issue following further postgame evaluation.
Morant was one of three Memphis starters missing because of injuries. Desmond Bane (oblique) and Marcus Smart (ankle) also were in street clothes, out since being injured in the same game Oct. 30 against Brooklyn.
Despite those key absences, the Grizzlies gradually pulled away from the Wizards throughout the game. Leading by 17 at the half, they extended their lead to as many as 29 in the second half.
The Grizzlies built an 18-point lead late in the first quarter following a 21-4 run that ended with a 3-pointer from Edey. Their advantage increased to 23 at 64-41 late in the second quarter when Huff converted two free throws to cap a 15-3 run.
Jackson had 21 points at the half for the Grizzlies. Memphis shot 50 percent (24-for-48) in the opening half and dished out 18 assists. The Wizards were hampered by 13 turnovers in the first half, during which they shot 42.5 percent (17-for-40) and were outrebounded 23-18.
Washington was playing the first game of a five-game road trip.
–Field Level Media
