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“You dream about nights like this,” you can imagine Coward thinking as each shot splashed through the net. This wasn’t just good shooting. This was the kind of performance that announces your arrival in the league. Third Quarter Takeover Sealed the Deal The Memphis Grizzlies held a modest 60-52 lead at halftime, thanks in large part to a 17-2 run in the second quarter that gave them some breathing room. But it was the third quarter where Coward truly took control of the narrative. He poured in 15 points during that frame alone, stretching the lead to 103-84 and effectively putting the game out of reach. Ja Morant, the face of the franchise, contributed 19 points and 8 assists, doing what he does best by creating opportunities and keeping the defense honest. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 17 points, while Javon Small chipped in 16 off the bench. But this night belonged to the rookie who refused to let the moment overwhelm him. The Memphis Grizzlies shot 45.4% from the field as a team and 38.5% from three-point range. More impressively, they took care of the basketball, committing just 4 turnovers compared to Indiana’s 13. That kind of discipline wins games at this level. Pacers Fight Hard but Come Up Short On the other side, the Indiana Pacers showed flashes of what they’re capable of, particularly through Bennedict Mathurin, who dropped 26 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Mathurin has been on fire to start the season, averaging 31 points per game through two contests. But his night was cut short when he left the game with a sore right foot, a concerning development for a team already dealing with adversity after losing their double-overtime opener to Oklahoma City. Aaron Nesmith scored 15 points, while Obi Toppin and Pascal Siakam each contributed 13. Toppin also grabbed 9 rebounds, giving the Pacers some second-chance opportunities. But when you’re giving up 128 points and committing 13 turnovers, you’re fighting an uphill battle from the opening tip. The Pacers shot a respectable 40.4% from the field and 35% from three, but they couldn’t match the Memphis Grizzlies’ intensity or execution when it mattered most. Basketball is a game of runs, and Memphis made theirs count. What This Means Moving Forward For the Memphis Grizzlies, this victory was about more than just getting back in the win column. It was about discovering that they have depth, that they have players who can step up when called upon. Cedric Coward’s breakout performance gives head coach another weapon to deploy, another option to keep opposing defenses guessing. The Pacers, meanwhile, head to Minnesota on Sunday hoping Mathurin’s foot injury isn’t serious. They need him healthy if they want to compete in a loaded Eastern Conference. As for Memphis, they travel to Golden State on Monday, riding the kind of momentum that only comes from watching a rookie catch fire and light up the scoreboard. Sometimes in sports, you witness the birth of something special. Saturday night at FedExForum felt like one of those moments. The Memphis Grizzlies got a glimpse of their future, and it looked pretty damn good.
