Memphis Grizzlies score, live game updates vs. Clippers: Banged-up Grizzlies return home
The Memphis Grizzlies return home to face the surging Los Angeles Clippers on Friday at FedExForum.
In the first game after Ja Morant's season-ending injury diagnosis, the Grizzlies blasted Dallas on Tuesday in an impressive performance but lost Marcus Smart to a ruptured tendon in his right hand.
The Clippers have won three games in a row and seven of eight as they hit their stride with James Harden getting comfortable after his Halloween trade from Philadelphia. Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have all played 30 or more games this season, a good sign for the franchise through three months of regular season play.
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Follow along with our live game updates below, with tip-off scheduled after 7 p.m. CT.
Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers live score updates
Final: Clippers 128, Grizzlies 119
Clippers 124, Grizzlies 104 with 4:13 left fourth quarter: Paul George hits a season-high
Paul George has a season-high 37 points tonight, including 15 in the fourth quarter. Clippers are headed to win No. 25.
For the Grizzlies, Xavier Tillman has 20 points, a season-high. Jake LaRavia is up to 10 points, his first time in double figures this season. David Roddy also has 17 points.
End of the third quarter: Clippers 100, Grizzlies 79
Kawhi Leonard had 11 third-quarter points to lead the Clippers to a 21-point lead after 36 minutes.
Clippers bench is outscoring Memphis' bench 32-13 through three quarters.
Desmond Bane injures ankle, won't return
Desmond Bane won't return to Friday's game after turning his ankle while stepping on Kawhi Leonard's foot during a drive to the basket in the third quarter.
Bane tried to walk it off, but was clearly in some discomfort and subbed out. Leonard was called for a foul on the play.
Because Bane could not shoot the subsequent free throws, he cannot return to the game. Tough week for the Grizzlies continues on Friday.
Clippers 82, Grizzlies 65 with 6:05 left third quarter: Clippers hot shooting continues
The Clippers are now shooting 62% from the field and 54% from 3. Paul George has 22 points on 5-of-8 shooting from 3.
Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Xavier Tillman all have 15 points.
HALFTIME: Clippers 65, Grizzlies 53
Clippers lead the Grizzlies by 12 at halftime with Paul George leading all scorers with 17 points. LA made six of its first seven 3-pointers in the second quarter to take control of the game.
There were some ugly offensive possessions that led to bad shots for the Grizzlies in the second quarter. Clippers are just flying defenders at Desmond Bane when he tries to drive.
Clippers 51, Grizzlies 44 with 4:42 left second quarter: Grizzlies trying to hang in
Three Grizzlies are in double figures: Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Xavier Tillman all have 10 points. Grizzlies need others to step up. Ziaire Williams is 0-for-5 from the floor in seven minutes.
The Clippers have 23 bench points early, led by Daniel Theis and Amir Coffey who have seven points each.
Clippers 35, Grizzlies 29 with 9:37 left second quarter: Clippers open quarter on 12-3 run
Timeout Grizzlies after a James Harden 3-pointer rattles in, plus a foul on John Konchar. Grizzlies are 4-of-13 from 3 so far on Friday.
Grizzlies have kept either Jaren Jackson Jr. or Desmond Bane on the floor as the rotation takes shape.
End of the first quarter: Grizzlies 26, Clippers 23
Good defensive start by Memphis, and it leads after one quarter. Desmond Bane has 10 points, while Jaren Jackson has 8 points. Jacob Gilyard is among the Grizzlies players getting some minutes off the bench in this rotation impacted by injuries.
James Harden recorded no points, an assist and a steal in his first stint of the night.
A quick aside: Russell Westbrook missed two free throws late in the quarter as he continues to come off the bench for the Clippers. Westbrook was a 79.9% free throw shooter through his first 12 seasons, and 65.9% from the line from 2020-21 through this season. How does that happen?
Grizzlies 8, Clippers 5 with 8:01 left first quarter: Desmond Bane has a good start
The Grizzlies lead 8-5 after two Desmond Bane 3-pointers.
Paul George has started 1-of-4 from the field.
Grizzlies starting lineup includes Luke Kennard, Vince Williams, Xavier Tillman
Jaren Jackson Jr. is back in the lineup and joins Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard, Vince Williams Jr. and Xavier Tillman.
Jackson missed Tuesday's game with a right knee contusion but is not on the injury report heading into Friday's game.
Clippers will start James Harden, Terance Mann, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Ivica Zubac, their normal starting five.
What channel is Grizzlies vs. Clippers on today?
TV channel: Bally Sports Southeast
Stream: Bally Sports app, FUBO (free trial)
Grizzlies vs. Clippers start time
Date: Friday, Jan. 12
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Grizzlies vs. Clippers betting odds
SPREAD: Clippers +8.5
MONEY LINE: Grizzlies +290, Clippers -375
OVER/UNDER: 224.5 points
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Memphis Grizzlies score, live game updates vs LA Clippers