Jackson Scores 28, Landale Hits Career-High Four 3s as Grizzlies Topple Timberwolves 116-110
MINNEAPOLIS — In a gritty battle of shorthanded Western Conference foes, Jaren Jackson Jr. and an unlikely hero in Jock Landale propelled the Memphis Grizzlies to a statement 116-110 road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
Despite playing without superstar point guard Ja Morant, the Grizzlies showcased their depth and defensive identity at the Target Center, handing the Timberwolves just their second loss in the last nine games.
Jackson and Landale Lead the Charge
Jaren Jackson Jr. continued his recent tear, anchoring Memphis with 28 points and 12 rebounds. After a slow start to the season, the two-time All-Star has found his rhythm, following up a season-high 31-point performance on Monday with another dominant double-double. Jackson’s presence was felt on both ends, as he also chipped in 3 blocks to stifle Minnesota’s interior attack.
The story of the night, however, was Jock Landale. Stepping into a larger role with rookie Zach Edey sidelined, the veteran centre delivered a career night. Landale finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, but it was his shooting from beyond the arc that stunned the Minneapolis crowd. Landale knocked down a career-high four 3-pointers, including a massive triple with 3:22 remaining to extend the Memphis lead to five.
Game Summary: A Second-Half Surge
The Timberwolves appeared to have control midway through the third quarter, holding a 76-67 lead. However, the Grizzlies responded with a blistering 14-2 run sparked by a “scoring by committee” approach. Six different Grizzlies contributed during the stretch, which was capped by a flurry of 3-pointers from Landale, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Jackson.
Minnesota didn’t go quietly. Sixth Man of the Year candidate Naz Reid completed a three-point play to pull the Wolves within two at 96-94 with seven minutes remaining. But every time Minnesota threatened, Memphis had an answer. After Landale’s final 3-pointer gave Memphis a cushion, Jackson iced the game with a clutch floater with 47 seconds left.
Key Player Stats
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Notes |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | Grizzlies | 28 | 12 | 3 Blocks; 2nd straight 25+ pt game |
| Jock Landale | Grizzlies | 20 | 10 | Career-high four 3-pointers |
| Julius Randle | Timberwolves | 21 | 5 | Led Minnesota in scoring |
| Donte DiVincenzo | Timberwolves | 19 | 11 | 4/8 from three-point range |
| Rudy Gobert | Timberwolves | 16 | 16 | 4 blocks in the loss |
Battle of the Injured Stars
Both teams were forced to navigate the matchup without their primary offensive engines:
- Anthony Edwards (MIN): Missed his third straight game with a nagging right foot injury. The Wolves are now 4-3 without their superstar this season.
- Ja Morant (MEM): Sidelined with a left ankle sprain sustained during Monday’s win over the Clippers.
- Cam Spencer (MEM): The rookie standout, who dropped 27 points on Monday, was out for personal reasons.
In a silver lining for Memphis, forward Brandon Clarke made his long-awaited season debut. Clarke played 13 minutes, contributing 6 points and 3 rebounds in his first action since undergoing knee surgery in September.
Looking Ahead
The win moves the Memphis Grizzlies (13-14) closer to the .500 mark as they continue to climb the Western Conference standings despite a mounting injury list. They return home to face the Washington Wizards on Saturday.
For the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-10), the loss is a minor speed bump in an otherwise stellar December. They remain firmly in the hunt for a top-4 seed but will need to get healthy quickly before hosting the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.
