Immanuel Quickley’s standout performance of 26 points and Pascal Siakam’s 24 propelled the Toronto Raptors to a narrow 116-111 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies, despite a late Memphis comeback effort during Wednesday’s NBA action.
Quickley, a recent addition to the Raptors following a trade from the New York Knicks, showcased his skill with efficient shooting, including 5-8 from three-point range. Scottie Barnes also contributed significantly, with 20 points for Toronto.
Quickley, playing only his second game since joining the Raptors, has already made a positive impression on coach Darko Rajakovic. Rajakovic praised Quickley’s versatility and impactful shooting. Quickley remarked on the smooth transition to Toronto, attributing it to the team’s supportive and family-like environment.
“Darko pulled me aside while the game was going on and said: ‘You’re not having fun. Have fun,’” Quickley said. “I’ve never really had a coach do that.”
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 28 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 24 points, with 13 in the fourth quarter. Desmond Bane and Ziaire Williams also made notable contributions, with 22 and 18 points, respectively.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Pascal Siakam, Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors, Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins took responsibility for the team’s lackluster performance, but player Desmond Bane emphasized that the responsibility lies with the players themselves.
“I’ve got to get this team better prepared. We were flat tonight. That’s on me,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said.
Memphis made a strong comeback attempt in the last quarter, reducing Toronto’s lead from 18 points to just five, but the Raptors managed to hold on for the win.
“As a coach, you can only do so much,” Bane said. “You don’t put a jersey on. You don’t run up and down the court. So, it has nothing to do with him, honestly. We’re all grown men. It’s on us. We’ve got to be better.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Pascal Siakam, Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors, Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Rajakovic acknowledged challenges in controlling the game, especially in the fourth quarter, and recognized the need for better execution. Both teams entered the game following recent wins but were still below the playoff line in their conferences.
“To be honest, in that fourth quarter, I thought we really didn’t keep control on the offensive end,” said Rajakovic, who was an assistant in Memphis before taking the reins in Toronto. “We were all over the place. What we were doing. What we were executing.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Pascal Siakam, Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors, Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
The Raptors built a significant lead, capitalizing on a second-quarter lapse in Memphis’ shooting accuracy. Memphis fought back in the final quarter, improving their shooting to 52%, including 6 of 11 from 3-point range.
Looking forward, the Raptors will continue their six-game road trip with a matchup against the Sacramento Kings, while the Grizzlies begin a three-game road trip, starting with a match against the Los Angeles Lakers.
