The Memphis Grizzlies have suffered an agonizing stretch of losses, dropping three consecutive games in the final moments on game-winning shots. Each loss came by two points or fewer, with the opposing team sealing the victory within the last three seconds of play.
This heartbreaking streak marks the first time an NBA team has endured such a run since the Seattle SuperSonics during Christmas of 2002.
With these defeats, Memphis has now dropped to fourth place in the Western Conference with a 38-23 record, just one game ahead of the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets. Despite their overall strong season, these close losses have raised concerns about the team’s ability to execute in crunch time.
Game 1: OG Anunoby’s Buzzer-Beating Three Lifts Knicks Over Grizzlies
The Grizzlies’ first devastating loss came at the hands of OG Anunoby and the New York Knicks, who secured a 114-113 victory on March 1. Anunoby drilled a clutch go-ahead three-pointer with 5.3 seconds left, swinging the game in New York’s favor after a frantic final two minutes of lead changes.
Memphis had one last possession to salvage the game, but Ja Morant’s layup attempt rimmed out, and Santi Aldama’s tip-in fell short, sealing the loss. Morant led the way for Memphis with 25 points and seven assists, while Desmond Bane added 24 points and a season-high 12 rebounds.
Turnovers proved costly for the Grizzlies, as they committed 19 giveaways, leading to 28 points for the Knicks. The game also marked Mitchell Robinson’s return from injury for New York, further strengthening their interior presence.
Game 2: De’Aaron Fox’s Clutch Jumper Sinks Grizzlies
Less than 24 hours after the Knicks loss, the Grizzlies found themselves in another tight battle—this time against the San Antonio Spurs. Despite Jaren Jackson Jr.’s 42-point explosion, De’Aaron Fox buried a clutch 20-footer with 2.6 seconds left, handing the Spurs a 130-128 victory.
Fox’s jumper broke a tie game, and Memphis’ last-second desperation heave by Aldama missed at the buzzer, leaving the Grizzlies stunned once again.
Playing without Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, the Grizzlies relied on their supporting cast, with Jaylen Wells scoring 18 points and Zach Edey adding 17 points and nine rebounds.
Memphis found themselves in a deep hole early, as San Antonio shot 61% from the field in the first half, building a 77-58 halftime lead. The Grizzlies clawed their way back, but their second-half rally fell just short for the second consecutive game.
Game 3: Caris LeVert’s Steal and Buzzer-Beater Crushes Grizzlies
The Grizzlies’ bad luck continued in their March 4 matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, where they squandered a late lead and lost 132-130 on Caris LeVert’s game-winning layup.
Memphis led 130-125 with just over two minutes left, but Atlanta scored the final seven points of the game, culminating in LeVert’s coast-to-coast layup at the buzzer. His shot was initially reviewed but ultimately confirmed as good.
Desmond Bane recorded his first career triple-double with 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, but his turnover with 3.8 seconds left proved costly. Dyson Daniels stripped Bane, leading to LeVert’s heroics.
The Grizzlies also suffered a major blow early in the game when Jaren Jackson Jr. went down with an ankle injury just two minutes into the first quarter. With Ja Morant and Santi Aldama already out, Memphis was severely shorthanded, allowing the Hawks to capitalize late.
With three heartbreaking losses in a row, the Grizzlies must regroup quickly. Their once-secure playoff positioning is now in jeopardy, and with injuries piling up, they face a critical stretch of games. The Rockets are just one game behind, and if Memphis can’t close out games better, they could slip further in the standings.
For a team that has prided itself on resilience, this brutal losing streak is testing their mental toughness like never before.
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