Dejounte Murray tied his career high with an impressive 41-point performance, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 99-92 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies during Friday’s NBA action. This win marks the Hawks’ third consecutive triumph, showcasing their rising form in the league.
“He was managing the game all the way around,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said of Murray. “… Just a cerebral game as well as a big game statistically. His buckets were big buckets.”
Murray, focused on the game rather than personal stats, aimed to engage his teammates and fill in for the team’s absent key players.
“Just hoopin’,” Murray said. “I’ve never been a guy that played for stats. That’s just who I am. I love to play. I love to compete.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, Jaren Jackson Jr, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Jaren Jackson Jr. was the leading scorer for the Grizzlies with 21 points, supported by contributions from Jake LaRavia and Vince Williams Jr., who both added 14 points. Despite their efforts, the Grizzlies struggled to maintain their early lead, especially in the second period where Murray’s 21 first-half points were instrumental in tying the game at halftime.
“He shot the ball extremely well,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said of Murray. “Tip your cap. He played great. We were probably a little late to some of our adjustments.”
Both teams faced challenges with key players sidelined due to injuries, but the Hawks managed to maintain their defensive focus. This concentration has been crucial in their recent success, limiting opponents to an average of 96.4 points across their last five victories.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, Jaren Jackson Jr, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
The Grizzlies, dealing with lineup adjustments and signings to fill gaps, showed resilience but fell short in the closing moments. Forward Wenyen Gabriel, signed earlier that day, contributed with two points and four rebounds during his 13-minute playtime.
“The season that we’ve had with so much adversity, it’s always something new,” Stevens said, reflecting on the team’s challenges. “I think the fact that every night we go out and fight and compete says a lot about the character of this team.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, Jaren Jackson Jr, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
As both teams look ahead to their next games, the Hawks are set to host New Orleans, while the Grizzlies face a tough matchup against Oklahoma City.
