Grizzlies Stars Fight On Bench During Jazz Game
Grizzlies Stars Fight On Bench During Jazz Game
Tension erupted on the Memphis Grizzlies bench during their game against the Utah Jazz when guard Desmond Bane physically shoved teammate Santi Aldama during a timeout huddle.
The incident, which resulted in Aldama stumbling backward into his seat, occurred amid what appeared to be a heated disagreement between the two players.
Desmond Bane trying to beat up his own teammate 😭💀 pic.twitter.com/Hr2iIMF9ub
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) March 26, 2025
Despite this momentary conflict, the Grizzlies managed to channel their intensity productively on the court, ultimately securing a dominant 140-103 victory over the Jazz. The win helped Memphis snap a three-game losing streak, with Bane contributing 21 points to lead the team’s scoring effort while Aldama added nine points to the commanding performance. The Grizzlies outshot Utah by a significant margin, converting 53.1% of their attempts compared to the Jazz’s 43.6%.
Grizzlies Seem Hopeful For Desmond Bane In Ja Morant’s Absence
The Memphis Grizzlies are looking to Desmond Bane for leadership as they navigate a challenging period without star point guard Ja Morant. Despite recent tensions, including a notable incident where Bane shoved teammate Santi Aldama during a timeout huddle, the team remains confident in his abilities.
Bane has established himself as a reliable offensive contributor this season with impressive statistics. The shooting guard is averaging 18.9 points per game while maintaining efficient shooting percentages of 48.6% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range. His all-around game has expanded too, with 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.
Coach Taylor Jenkins has increasingly entrusted Bane with orchestrating the offense in Morant’s absence. This strategic shift appears well-founded as Bane has demonstrated excellent court vision and decision-making skills.
What makes Bane particularly valuable is his drive-and-kick ability, creating scoring opportunities for teammates while maintaining scoring efficiency with a lower usage rate than Morant. This skillset could potentially transform the Grizzlies’ offensive approach moving forward.
The team’s success will also depend on other key players stepping up. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama are gradually returning to form after injury absences. Jackson’s development as a perimeter shooter and rebounder could complement Bane’s playmaking without requiring him to dominate ball-handling duties.
Keys to Success Without Morant:
- Bane maintaining playmaking efficiency
- Jackson Jr. focusing on spacing and rebounding
- Aldama providing consistent scoring support
- Reduced turnovers compared to Morant-led offense
- Enhanced ball movement and player cutting
The Grizzlies’ ability to adapt their offensive strategy during Morant’s absence could ultimately benefit the team long-term, potentially creating a more diverse attack when their star point guard returns to action.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
