Grizzlies vs. Celtics: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

The Memphis Grizzlies (43-20) play against the Boston Celtics (27-27) at TD Garden Game Time: 7:30 PM EST on Thursday March 3, 2022 Memphis Grizzlies 18, Boston Celtics 22 (Q1 02:40) What’s the buzz on Twitter? Keith Smith @ KeithSmithNBA Ime Udoka …

The Memphis Grizzlies (43-20) play against the Boston Celtics (27-27) at TD Garden

Game Time: 7:30 PM EST on Thursday March 3, 2022

Memphis Grizzlies 18, Boston Celtics 22 (Q1 02:40)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Ime Udoka watched the offense become a mess without Jayson Tatum for a couple of minutes and Tatum is already back at the scorer’s table. – 8:08 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Score 18-19 Boston way – 8:08 PM
Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Ja Morant is 0-for-6, Memphis can’t buy a 3 and the Grizzlies trail by 1.
They will take that. – 8:07 PM
Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
Kyle Anderson and De’Anthony Melton coming in and creating havoc is money just about every game. Those two are a big part of that defensive identity. – 8:07 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
The entire Grizzlies bench is up and celebrating every play that happens during the game. Not exactly typical in NBA games in the first quarter. – 8:07 PM
Meghan Triplett @Meghan_Triplett
Grizzlies showing off what they can do defensively right now. – 8:07 PM
Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Kyle Anderson has been a spark. Those were two huge steals. – 8:07 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics have had some really sloppy turnovers tonight. Getting up in the air to pass without an idea of where they are going.
Looks a lot like the start to the Atlanta game on Tuesday. – 8:06 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Boston defense is daring Memphis to shoot – 8:05 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Derrick White came in for Aaron Nesmith. Nesmith was helped to the locker room and couldn’t put any weight on it. – 8:04 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Jaylen Brown walked off on his own power Tuesday. Aaron Nesmith not as fortunate here… pic.twitter.com/odIfJAbQjz – 8:03 PM

Abby Chin @tvabby
Replay looks like Aaron Nesmith came down badly on Desmond Bane’s foot. He was clearly in a lot of pain, had to be helped off the floor and the team used a wheelchair in the back hallway to get him to the locker room.
Updates as we get them. – 8:03 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
Ja Morant and Desmond Bane a combined 0 for 8 to start. – 8:03 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Just brutal luck for Nesmith suffering that injury during a big opportunity for him. C’s wing depth will be tested with him and Jaylen Brown already out. Hauser may be next man up. – 8:02 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Next wing up for the Celtics are Derrick White, who was going to play a lot anyway. After White, it’s Sam Hauser or the 10-Day guys: Kelan Martin or Malik Fitts.
Boston is really shallow at that spot tonight. Both Matt Ryan and Brodric Thomas are inactive, – 8:02 PM
Jay King @ByJayKing
Also without Jaylen Brown, the Celtics are now extremely thin on the wing. – 8:01 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
The #Celtics are gonna need another wing player, and real soon. – 8:01 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Aaron Nesmith goes down, being helped off the floor back to the locker room. – 8:00 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56
Aaron Nesmith has to be helped off the floor to the locker room. Can’t put weight on his right leg. – 8:00 PM
Jay King @ByJayKing
Aaron Nesmith was down and hurting. Now being helped off the court toward the locker room area. He appears to be in severe pain. – 8:00 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
And Nesmith can’t put any pressure on his right leg. Being carried to the locker room. #Celtics #Grizzlies – 8:00 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Aaron Nesmith is being helped to the Celtics locker room, not putting any weight on his right ankle. – 8:00 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Oh man. Now Aaron Nesmith is down.
Rolled his right ankle after contesting Bane’s drive. – 7:59 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Aaron Nesmith is down and in pain. I couldn’t see what happened from my angle but he seems to be in quite a lot of pain – 7:59 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Tatum responds with an open 3 – 7:59 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Aaron Nesmith is down on the court. Stayed down behind the play, and Boston calls timeout. Whole team is coming over to check on him. – 7:59 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Now Nesmith is down after that missed MEM shot. #Celtics #Grizzlies – 7:59 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Boston comes out of this timeout up 13-5 on Memphis – 7:57 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Deuce Tatum is singing Happy Birthday to Jayson Tatum on the TD Garden Jumbotron during this timeout. – 7:57 PM
Memphis Grizzlies @memgrizz
GOLD CHASE DOWN BADGE ACTIVATED 🦄 pic.twitter.com/UvgtxFRPbv – 7:57 PM

Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Grizzlies lacking effort thus far defensively
Gotta keep that intensity going on defense, especially when you start off as rough as they have offensively tonight. – 7:56 PM
Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
Steven Adams had probably the second best February of Grizzlies behind Ja Morant. Can’t lose him. – 7:55 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Marcus Smart nails a 3 & Jenkins calls a Timeout to stop Boston’s run – 7:55 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Celtics open the game with a 13-5 run with all the points coming from Smart/Horford/R. Williams. – 7:54 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Terrific start for Boston, which is out to a 13-5 lead. Memphis off to a very slow start from the field, going 1-for-6 from 3 and missing eight of its first 10 shots. – 7:54 PM
Boston Celtics @celtics
After being named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month, Ime Udoka says the award is a reflection of the team on the court.
Tune in now to @NBCSBoston pic.twitter.com/LX9fjZ0uLR – 7:54 PM

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Steven Adams went right to the Grizzlies locker room. Looked like he rolled an ankle. – 7:54 PM
Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Steven Adams is limping pretty badly. Not good. Straight to the locker room. – 7:54 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Good defense by Bane on smart attempt to drive – 7:54 PM
Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
A poor shooting start for the Grizzlies. Getting good looks. Nothing will go. – 7:53 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Jaren wit da Chasedown badge on Purple!
for the block on Tatum – 7:53 PM
Abby Chin @tvabby
Rob Williams one dribble pull-up from the elbow. Let’s go!!! – 7:53 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
TD Garden goaded Rob Williams into that jumper and he drilled it. – 7:52 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Incredible chasedown block by JJJ. – 7:52 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
What a block by Jaren Jackson Jr. Looked like Jayson Tatum was going to have a dunk or easy layup, and Jackson took it away from him. – 7:52 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Al horford with the second chance basket, plus the foul. pic.twitter.com/WH3fUCEDCm – 7:52 PM

Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
And 1 putback for Al Horford
Foul by Jaren his first with just over 10min left in the first – 7:52 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Jaren knocks down a 3ball to score first for Memphis – 7:51 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Boston stacked the defense with Bob Al & Smart starting this season
No wonder they’re good defensively now – 7:51 PM
Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
New @RealGM Radio podcast! @Jared Weiss and I go in-depth on the Celtics. Their season’s evolution, Robert Williams’ improvement, Tatum/Brown, the future and much more basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/266031… – 7:51 PM
Yaron Weitzman @YaronWeitzman
This week’s Starting Five for @FOX Sports News / @FOXSports is on the Celtics and how they’ve become championship contenders.
Words: foxsports.com/stories/nba/ho…
Video: youtu.be/hVU9f6DCz50 – 7:49 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56
Aaron Nesmith starts in place of Jaylen Brown – 7:49 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Starting five tonight for the Celtics: Smart; Nesmith; Tatum; Horford and Williams. – 7:48 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
How hot have the Grizzlies been?
This hot. pic.twitter.com/ZtZ2wyxz7m – 7:48 PM

Memphis Grizzlies @memgrizz
GRIZZ TWITTER RT IF YOU’RE TAPPED IN 📺 – 7:47 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
The first four starters introduced tonight for the Memphis Grizzlies get booed. Ja Morant? He gets a big cheer. Really good energy in the building tonight for the Grizz’s lone visit of the season. Unfortunate Jaylen Brown is out, but should be a fun one tonight. – 7:45 PM
Memphis Grizzlies @memgrizz
starting 🖐️ vs. @Boston Celtics
🥷 @Ja Morant
🎯 @Desmond Bane
🎱 @Ziaire Williams
🦄 @Jaren Jackson Jr.
🥝 @RealStevenAdams
@Verizon | #GrzNxtGen pic.twitter.com/sEALKx37UY – 7:41 PM

Geoff Calkins @geoff_calkins
Also Charles Barkley: “Is it Desmond Bane?” – 7:40 PM
Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
I continue to see the 12-2 without Ja Morant as an anti-MVP take and I continuously cannot believe how bad of a take it is. – 7:39 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Time for da Celtics to get Dealt wit – 7:34 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
15 minutes until the 7:30 PM ET Celtics-Grizzlies game tips.
Makes sense to me! – 7:32 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
The last time @Ja Morant was in this building, he scored 2 points. Not in a quarter, but for the 24 minutes he played. Different season, different game, Different Ja Morant on all levels. pic.twitter.com/FejbmkJ78a – 7:28 PM

Boston Celtics @celtics
We’re celebrating the ladies tonight with our #WomensHistoryMonth Night presented by @newbalancehoops ☘️ pic.twitter.com/AljeXFNRaD – 7:27 PM

Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Grizzlies at Celtics – TD Garden – March 3, 2022 – Starting Lineups
Boston – Smart, Nesmith, Tatum, Horford, R. Williams
Memphis – Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Zaire Williams, Jaren Jackson, Steven Adams
OUT: Boston: Brown Memphis: Dillon Brooks, John Konchar, Yves Pons pic.twitter.com/6Lna7ZwsQH – 7:13 PM

Memphis Grizzlies @memgrizz
you see the uni combo on deck tonight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/omGCJzlgcX – 7:13 PM

Boston Celtics @celtics
Coach made franchise history with his Coach of the Month recognition 👏
nba.com/celtics/news/p… – 7:10 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics starters tonight:
Robert Williams
Al Horford
Jayson Tatum
Aaron Nesmith
Marcus Smart
Grizzlies starters:
Steven Adams
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Ziaire Williams
Desmond Bane
Ja Morant – 7:05 PM
Boston Celtics @celtics
Tonight’s starters ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/cXPVmgZE9N – 7:00 PM

Boston Celtics @celtics
Talking up his Coach of the Month ☘️ pic.twitter.com/FW03PLU8iy – 6:51 PM

Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
New BS Podcast!
—A new superstar (Ja) shows up in your hometown (Memphis) with @Chris Vernon (and @HousefromDC)
—House + I try to save baseball (and fail)
—Fanatics CEO @michaelrubin on why (and how) he wants to change life for sports fans.
open.spotify.com/episode/6qHlmR… – 6:50 PM
Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
New @RealGM Radio podcast! @Jared Weiss and I go in-depth on the Celtics. Their season’s evolution, Robert Williams’ improvement, Tatum/Brown, the future and much more- basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/266031… – 6:33 PM
Minnesota Timberwolves PR @Twolves_PR
NEWS: @Minnesota Timberwolves transfer forward Nathan Knight to G League Affiliate @iawolves.
Knight has seen action in 28 games for Minnesota, with his best performance coming on Dec. 27 vs. Boston (20 points and 11 rebounds).
. – 6:20 PM
Jay King @ByJayKing
I have five e-copies of Dan Shaughnessy’s new Celtics book to give away. You must follow @poddable and @JamPackard to be eligible. Tell me why you deserve one of the copies.
The book is great. I strongly recommend it.
Wish it Lasted Forever: Life with the Larry Bird Celtics pic.twitter.com/UwSBtdySy5 – 6:12 PM

Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Taylor Jenkins on the staggering lineups with Kyle/Melt at the beginning of games: They’re looking for complementary lineups. He points to Ja’s production with Ja/Melt/Ziaire/Addams, and how Kyle plays at the 4. Also likes Bane/Jaren with the 2nd unit too – 6:11 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Taylor Jenkins looking back at pandemic draft and how Bane ended up in Memphis, after Celtics picked him: Called it a weird draft with primarily Zoom interviews. They were blessed to move up to draft Des — “he’s a huge piece to what we’re doing and what we’re building” – 6:10 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Taylor Jenkins on Desmond Bane’s little slump over past few games: He’s letting him figure it out — “it’s a small sample size.” Bane recognized it first, and they know he’ll get through it – 6:09 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Taylor Jenkins says the Celtics have so much depth — good vets and young talent. They have a lot of versatility on both ends of the ball, and they’ll force his team to play at their best — even without Jaylen Brown – 6:06 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Big game tonight! The Grizzlies and Celtics on TNT at 6:30 CST. @PAKA_FLOCKA here for pregame with Taylor Jenkins – 6:00 PM
Clay Bailey @claybailey9
Legislation has been re-filed in Nashville that could lead to the 3 Germantown namesake schools coming under the suburban district instead of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Our story in @DailyMemphian from suburban reporter @byabigailwarren
dailymemphian.com/section/suburb… – 5:56 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
I’m not surprised Ime Udoka is going with Aaron Nesmith as the starter for Jaylen Brown. He started the second half against the Hawks after Brown went out. Coaches don’t like disrupting rhythm and Derrick White and Payton Pritchard have found their rhythm off the bench recently. – 5:55 PM
Boston Celtics @celtics
Udoka on what his Coach of the Month recognition means to him: “It means we’re playing well.” – 5:52 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Celtics coach Ime Udoka says Aaron Nesmith will start for Jaylen Brown. Udoka said there’s a hope Brown can be back for Sunday’s game against Brooklyn, after he hurt his ankle in Tuesday’s win over Atlanta. – 5:51 PM
Boston Celtics @celtics
Jaylen Brown is out tonight, Coach Udoka confirms, but the hope is to have him back this weekend. – 5:50 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Aaron Nesmith starts for Jaylen Brown tonight – 5:50 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Aaron Nesmith will start for Jaylen Brown tonight against Memphis. – 5:50 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Aaron Nesmith will start tonight per Ime udoka. – 5:50 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Aaron Nesmith will start in place of Jaylen Brown tonight, per Ime Udoka. – 5:50 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley both have more win shares than any rookie had last year. In the bubble year, only Brandon Clarke had more (that was the Morant/Zion class). – 5:18 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Jaylen Brown, Malcolm Brogdon and Bismack Biyombo have been re-elected as VP’s on @TheNBPA’s Executive Committee and will serve new three-year terms, union says. – 5:14 PM
The Ringer @ringernba
💯 Can the Grizzlies make a Finals run this season?
💯 The Warriors’ recent struggles
💯 The surging Mavs
💯 KD’s return
#RealOnes with @Logan Murdock and @Bell19Raja: open.spotify.com/episode/4zmiyi… – 5:01 PM
Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
New @RealGM Radio podcast! @Jared Weiss and I go in-depth on the Celtics. Their season’s evolution, Robert Williams’ improvement, Tatum/Brown, the future and much more: basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/266031… – 4:45 PM
Bill Doyle @BillDoyle15
Ime Udoka has been named the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for February, the NBA announced today. It is the first time in franchise history that a Celtics head coach has earned the monthly honor in his first career season as a head coach. – 4:08 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Ime Udoka is named the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for February. He is the first head coach in #Celtics history to earn the monthly honor in their first career season as a head coach. pic.twitter.com/v23QAWishM – 4:08 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
“It was the Emmett Till of our time”
Jerami Grant, Celtics coach Ime Udoka and Pistons coach Dwane Casey talk to @YahooSports on the 10 year anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death, and the way NBA players began to speak out on social justice
sports.yahoo.com/10-years-after… – 4:06 PM
Boston Celtics @celtics
Congratulations Coach ☘️👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/CmIcJocU2M – 4:03 PM

Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Ime Udoka named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for February. #Celtics – 4:02 PM
JD Shaw @JShawNBA
Jazz head coach Quin Snyder and Celtics head coach Ime Udoka have been named the Western and Eastern Conference Coaches of the Month, the NBA says. pic.twitter.com/7DJWbnis5Z – 4:01 PM

Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Utah’s Quin Snyder and Boston’s Ime Udoka were just named Western and Eastern Conference Coach of the Month by the NBA.
More NBA from me: marcstein.substack.com – 4:00 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
LaMelo Ball: American Pie 2
Anthony Edwards: Rush Hour 2
Jayson Tatum: Titanic
Chris Paul: (wait for it) Chuck Norris’ Code of Silence
A Chuck Norris film was the top-grossing movie the day CP3 was born.
The 80s, man.
hoopshype.com/gallery/top-gr… – 3:55 PM
Pete Pranica @PetePranica
The latest Grizz Weekly Grind is up at @hoopspodnet cms.megaphone.fm/channel/thegri…
Get ready for Grizz/Celtics with C’s radio voice @Sean Grande …
Brought to you by @DKSportsbook (offer code #TBPN) and @HoopCityBC – 2:29 PM
Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
📅 On this day in 1985, Kevin McHale scored a career-high and @celtics-record 56 points in a win over the Pistons.
McHale added 16 rebounds, shooting 22-28 from the field and 12-13 from the FT line.
His record was short-lived, as Larry Bird broke it just nine days later (60). pic.twitter.com/PdJvrJMBzR – 2:01 PM

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Jaylen Brown’s Injury + Should the Celtics Extend Grant Williams? w/ @jacksobd | @WinningPlaysPod Powered by @betonline_ag (USE Code: CLNS50) twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 2:00 PM
Memphis Grizzlies @memgrizz
beale street brunch in the garden 🐻 pic.twitter.com/AMWFN7O352 – 1:57 PM

Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham
Looks like Luke Kornet got Jayson Tatum a Moses Malone Spirits of St. Louis jersey for his birthday: pic.twitter.com/XgU5I1R22w – 1:50 PM