GG Jackson stood in the corner. Wide open.

The 19-year-old rookie was right in front of the Memphis Grizzlies bench as teammate Santi Aldama swung a two-handed pass to Jackson's wide open hands. Jackson winded up his shot as Milwaukee Bucks defender Brook Lopez closed out with urgency, hoping to cause him to miss. Injured Grizzlies Ja Morant and Marcus Smart were within arms' reach of Jackson, cheering him on as the ball took flight with the Grizzlies trailing by one point.

Swish. The ball went through the net with 2:44 left in the game.

That was the second of 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions for Jackson. The Grizzlies took a two-point lead and didn't trail again in a 113-110 upset win over the Bucks.

The win gives the Grizzlies a nice dose of momentum going into the all-star break with two straight victories, but there is something even bigger developing after Jackson tied his career high with 27 points and shot 9-for-13 from the field.

“I try to be as coachable as possible," Jackson said. "My high school coach called me a sponge back in the day. Not back in the day, it was like two years ago. I try to pick up on things as fast as I can, but not too fast to make sure I get every little detail. The shot opens up everything for you. My pump fake is not even that great and guys are still jumping out on it and allowing me to get to the lane.”

Jackson's two fourth quarter 3-pointers were clutch and timely baskets. On the first of those two shots, Jackson received an assist from Vince Williams Jr., who continues to stuff the stat sheet.

Williams finished with 18 points, a career-high 12 rebounds, seven assists and tied his career high with three steals. He has finished the past six games with at least 12 points and five assists. The 6-foot-4 wing also has recorded two double-doubles with rebounds in that stretch. He still hasn't recorded his first career triple-double.

"I've been trying my hardest to get, it," Williams said. "My teammates have been letting me get at least seven assists, so I can't be mad at all."

Memphis (20-36) just snapped off two straight wins before the all-star break after nine straight losses, but the emergence of Jackson and Williams are even bigger than those results.

Smart, Desmond Bane and Brandon Clarke are likely to return this season. Ja Morant won't be back until next year, but how the team could potentially look with the two young breakouts is already unfolding. Along with Smart, Williams gives the Grizzlies another ace perimeter defender who can knock down shots and make the right offensive plays. Jackson's ability to catch fire and bring instant offense off the bench is something the Grizzlies haven't seen much of in recent years.

"When some of the guys come back, it's going to be even better for us, honestly," Williams said.

INJURY UPDATE: Grizzlies' Scotty Pippen Jr. has bulging disc in lower back; to be re-evaluated in 3 weeks

Jackson credited Bane with pulling him aside and getting him back on track for the fourth quarter. After an explosive 19-point first half, Jackson scored two points in the third quarter on three shot attempts. Bane's message was to keep shooting, and Jackson did just that to lead Memphis to a win.

Maybe it's coincidence, but an intriguing part of Williams and Jackson's stories are their journeys as recent second-round picks. It's something that Jackson talks about often, and it will remain in the back of his mind during his career.

“What keeps me down is that every time I look at my jersey number when I go to put it on, it brings me back to that night on draft night," Jackson said. "God has a funny way of humbling his servants. I try not to get the big head."

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: GG Jackson, Vince Williams Jr. emerging as long-term Grizzlies pieces