The Memphis Grizzlies narrowly defeated the Houston Rockets 120-119 in an intense matchup that highlighted the competitiveness of the Western Conference. Despite being without star player Ja Morant, the Grizzlies managed to secure a victory against a Rockets team that had previously triumphed in their three earlier encounters. The game reached a tense climax with a controversial ending, as officials awarded Memphis a timeout that coach Taylor Jenkins did not signal for. Crew Chief Ben Taylor explained that the call stemmed from a miscommunication, leading to an inadvertent whistle and a subsequent side out for the Grizzlies.

Following this hard-fought win, Memphis will face the Milwaukee Bucks in an upcoming road game, aiming to build momentum after bouncing back from a recent loss.

The Memphis Grizzlies edged the Houston Rockets 120-119 in a thrilling matchup of top Western Conference seeds, despite both teams missing key players. Ja Morant's absence for Memphis and Alperen Sengun's for Houston notably impacted the game, which came down to the final moments. A controversial timeout call against Memphis during a fast break rattled head coach Taylor Jenkins, who strongly denied calling for the timeout. Jenkins expressed frustration post-game, emphasizing his intent to keep the pace and not signal for a stoppage. As the league prepares to release its Last Two Minute report, the scrutiny on officiating will likely intensify, but in the end, the Grizzlies secured the victory.

The NBA season has reached its midpoint, showcasing unexpected developments such as the Cleveland Cavaliers leading the Eastern Conference and the Houston Rockets making significant strides in the West. As injuries continue to plague key players, it’s also time to evaluate the candidates for the postseason awards. This article highlights the contenders for the coveted Coach of the Year award.

Kenny Atkinson of the Cavaliers stands out as the frontrunner. Despite limited roster changes, Atkinson transformed Cleveland's offense, introducing effective ball and player movement learned during his tenure as an assistant coach with Steve Kerr. His leadership has empowered players like Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, resulting in the league's most efficient offense this season.

Following Atkinson, Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic earns recognition for guiding his team to a strong No. 4 seed in the East amidst a slew of player injuries, including star Paolo Banchero. Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies also deserves mention, maintaining the No. 3 seed while navigating a challenging season with key players like Ja Morant intermittently sidelined.

The Golden State Warriors faced the Memphis Grizzlies without their star guard Stephen Curry, but managed to secure a 121-113 victory, improving their season series lead to 2-1. This win was a significant rebound after suffering a 51-point defeat to the Grizzlies earlier in December. The game saw a repeat of tensions from their previous encounters, particularly involving Warriors forward Draymond Green and Grizzlies rookie Zach Edey.

In the fourth quarter, Green's aggressive play led to another altercation with Edey, resulting in a flagrant foul being assessed against Green. Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins expressed no complaints about the officiating, stating that the referees handled the situation well. This incident adds to a season filled with altercations for the Grizzlies, including a previous incident involving Ja Morant.

The Memphis Grizzlies are navigating a successful season, but the health of their star guard Ja Morant has become a pressing concern. On Friday night, during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Morant sustained yet another injury, this time after taking a hard hit from Pelicans center Daniel Theis. Following the incident, Morant did not return to the game, prompting worries among fans regarding his health and future availability.

Head coach Taylor Jenkins confirmed after the game that Morant injured the same shoulder that had previously required surgery. He indicated that further evaluations would take place in the coming days to assess the extent of the damage. Jenkins noted, "Obviously, he took a nice hit to the shoulder, but we’ll get more evaluation in the next couple of days." This ongoing injury saga is not new for the Grizzlies, who have had to adapt to Morant's absence multiple times this season.

As the Grizzlies prepare for their upcoming matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the stakes are high. The team has shown resilience in the past when Morant has been sidelined, but facing the Thunder without their star player would be a significant challenge. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting updates on Morant's condition as the game approaches.