Grizzlies 116, Timberwolves 110 in Minneapolis, a 14-0 swing tells the story

Memphis left Minneapolis with a 116-110 win on December 17, 2025, a result built on Jaren Jackson Jr.’s 28 points and 12 rebounds, a decisive 14-0 burst in the third quarter, and steady late‑game free throws. Both teams were short of star power, Anthony Edwards sat with a right foot issue and Ja Morant was out with a left ankle sprain, yet the game still swung on execution, depth, and timely shot making.

How the game was won

Minnesota pushed ahead by nine early in the third quarter, the building lifted, then Memphis answered with that 14-0 run, which flipped a 76-67 deficit into an 81-76 lead. Jock Landale’s stretch shooting mattered, he drilled four threes and finished with 20 points and 10 boards, and Jaylen Wells gave Memphis 17. In the final 90 seconds, Landale hit a back‑breaking three, Jackson added a pull‑up in the lane, and the Grizzlies closed it out at the stripe.

On the other side, Julius Randle led Minnesota with 21, Rudy Gobert posted a 16 and 16 double double, and Donte DiVincenzo added 19 and 11. The Wolves had shots to tie late, they could not buy one in a second half that turned ice cold from deep.

“A horrendous night offensively,” coach Chris Finch said afterward, a blunt summary of a second half that produced only seven made field goals and one made three.

The numbers behind it

Memphis did not dominate any one category, they just won enough small margins, and they avoided the big mistake when it mattered. Their bench outscored Minnesota’s, their threes landed at the right moments, and they matched the Wolves on the glass in the last six minutes, which kept second chances down.

What it says about each team right now

Grizzlies, finding answers without Morant

Under head coach Tuomas Iisalo, Memphis is leaning into pace, spacing, and shared playmaking, which shows up in balanced lines like Jackson 28, Landale 20, Wells 17. The identity still starts with defense, Jackson’s rim protection and mobility let Memphis switch coverages, and the offense benefits when he sets early seals, hits trail threes, or drives against a rotating big. The late‑game poise in Minneapolis, after dropping behind by nine, is the encouraging part for a group that needs results while Morant heals.

Timberwolves, still a high ceiling, but a cold second half

Minnesota has built a top tier defense around Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, and length on the perimeter, and on most nights, Edwards carries the creation load. Without him and without Mike Conley, the half‑court can bog down, which is what happened here. The shooting slump after halftime, one for eighteen from three, turned a manageably tight game into a chase. The silver lining is the continued physical control of the paint and extra possessions from the offensive glass, which usually travel.

Recent head‑to‑head snapshots

By the numbers, Dec 17, 2025

• eFG% reflects Memphis’ timely shot profile, Minnesota’s late drought dragged their figure down
• Both teams turned it over at the same rate, which kept live‑ball mistakes from defining the finish
• Minnesota’s extra boards did not translate into enough points, Memphis’ late defensive rebounds were decisive

The longer rivalry picture

These teams forged their modern rivalry in the 2022 first round, which Memphis won 4-2, a series remembered for wild swings and repeated fourth‑quarter comebacks by the Grizzlies. Since then, the matchup has tilted back and forth, with both groups notching statement nights, none louder than Minnesota’s 52 point third quarter in April 2025 in Memphis, sparked by Anthony Edwards’ 44.

Coaching and style

• Memphis, Tuomas Iisalo took the reins in late March, then was made head coach on May 2, 2025. His principles, pace with purpose, five‑man spacing, and quick decisions, have unlocked complementary scoring around Jackson and Morant when healthy.
• Minnesota, Chris Finch signed an extension after last season’s deep run, his group’s defensive structure, size at four and five, and simplified reads for Edwards have raised the floor while preserving room for late‑game star creation.

What to watch next

• Health timelines, Edwards’ right foot management and Morant’s left ankle, will drive both teams’ ceilings over the next two weeks
• Frontcourt chess, Jackson’s shooting and drives against Gobert, and Gobert’s screening to free shooters, remains the core matchup
• Bench swing pieces, Landale’s pick‑and‑pop and Minnesota’s second unit spacing, can flip a quarter

Bottom line

Memphis earned it with depth, defense, and poise, Minnesota will feel they let one slip with a cold second half. If both sides are healthier next time, and if the Timberwolves have their closer back, the next chapter should look and feel very different.