The Memphis Grizzlies got off on a terrible foot in the First Round, Game 1 ending in a 51-point loss that was somewhere in between embarrassing and disturbing.
Over the course of the series, the Grizzlies did improve so far as keeping the score competitive. Game 2 was yet another blowout victory for the Thunder, who defeated Memphis by 19 points in a game that was never really close. In Game 3, the Grizzlies actually managed to grab the lead over Oklahoma City, leading 77-51 at halftime. However, a third quarter collapse and injury to Ja Morant all but disintegrated their dreams of a deep playoff run.
Then came Game 4. Facing elimination with another loss, Memphis was almost able to overcome OKC, even without Morant. Scotty Pippen Jr., who had started throughout the series due to Jaylen Wells‘s late season injury, was particularly effective. Santi Aldama, who’ll now prepare for free agency, had his best game of the series. Yet, it was the minutes given to Vince Williams Jr. that were the most illuminating.
Vince Williams Jr. Mistake Doomed Grizzlies In Thunder Sweep
Prior to Game 4, Williams had only played 19.5 minutes in the First Round, 18.5 of them coming in the second half of Game 1. Known more for his defense than his offense, he hadn’t made much of a dent on the scoreboard. Nonetheless, he was quietly impactful. Indeed, not only did he convert 50.0 percent of his 3-point attempts, he was averaging 1.9 steals and 1.6 blocks per 36 minutes.
Vince Williams Jr. 2023-24 Grizzlies Highlights 🎥 pic.twitter.com/20ldAmxe5W
— Grizzlies SZN (@Grizzlies_szn) June 26, 2024
A player that was considered a potential starter after a breakout 2023-24 campaign, his lack of playing time was befuddling, especially with Wells unable to suit up. He’s the team’s best 3-and-D player this side of Wells. With that being said, Grizzlies interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo’s fatal mistake may have been keeping him out of the lineup.
Mediocrity In Memphis
The Grizzlies’ ship was sunk by their jagged offense as much as anything.
Throughout the series, they had to put in a lot of work to get a clean shot off due to the Thunder’s suffocating defense. However, early in the series, their offense was disjointed and dispirited. They failed to create easier looks for one another. Eventually, they began to make savvier decisions, looking less like a fish out of water. Nonetheless, they didn’t capitalize enough, particularly beyond the arc.
In fact, Memphis was a measly 30-107 (28.0 percent) from 3 heading into Game 4. Aldama, Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard and John Konchar were all shooting below 30 percent from 3. Yet, Williams was glued to the bench.
In what was an injury-plagued season, he didn’t shoot especially well, converting just 27.4 percent of his 3s. Still, this is the same player that was shooting 50.0 percent from 3 in the series, made 35.7 percent of his 3s in April, and knocked down 37.8 percent of his 3s in 2023-24. He deserved a chance.
That was clear as day in Game 4, as Williams was one of their better players. In what ended as a two-point loss, he finished the game as a +8.
Two-End Impact
Much like Wells, Williams didn’t stand out with his volume, so much as his headiness and efficiency. In 18 minutes, Williams tallied 11 points and three assists while going 3-5 from 3. He was in the right spot, at the right time. He rewarded his teammates for finding him open. Last but not least, he created advantages for teammates by putting pressure on the rim.
At the defensive end, he was even better. He forced Shai Gilgeous-Alexander into a number of tough shots, especially late in the game. Off- and on-ball, he often managed to prevent Gilgeous-Alexander from getting a shot off at all. Williams’s rotations were sound throughout the game, helping him keep other players from effecting the game offensively as well. Whether he switched onto Jalen Williams or Alex Caruso, he put a body on them.
If only the Grizzlies leaned on him earlier. That’s not to say Gilgeous-Alexander had an otherwordly series, as he was just 35.3 percent from the field (25.0 percent from 3) heading into Saturday. However, Memphis could have used a role player who enhanced their offensive and defensive efficacy.
Konchar, who went 1-6 from 3, simply didn’t do that. Kennard didn’t provide his customary marksmanship. However, these were the players that Iisalo initially relied on.
If Williams played in Game 2, perhaps it wouldn’t have gone down as a massive loss. Had he been on the floor in Game 3, he likely would’ve been the difference between a win and loss. That’s not to say the Grizzlies wouldn’t have lost the series, just that they would’ve had a better chance if they made that adjustment to their rotation.
As they say though, hindsight is 20/20. Hopefully, Iisalo now sees one of the biggest mistakes he made in the series.
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