Memphis Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo was to the point.
After his team snapped a four-game losing streak Tuesday by defeating the San Antonio Spurs, he was quick to remind those gathered in the media room how the team’s victory — only its third in 20 games against opponents with a .500-or-better record — was accomplished.
“I’ll rattle off some names,” Iisalo said. “Ty Jerome. Scotty Pippen Jr., Brandon Clarke. Zach Edey. Cedric Coward. Ja Morant. (Olivier-Maxence) Prosper. Jahmai Mashack. John Konchar.”
Iisalo’s list was of the players the Grizzlies didn’t have available against the Spurs because of injury, a list that included a two-time NBA All-Star (Morant), a rookie-of-the-year candidate (Coward), a blossoming second-year big man (Edey) and key reserve guards (Jerome and Pippen). Morant, Coward and Edey are starters.
Memphis will play the second of a back-to-back Wednesday at home against the Phoenix Suns, who have won six of their past eight, including a victory over the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday. It’s unclear whether Morant (right calf contusion) and Coward (left ankle sprain) will return against the Suns. Morant was listed as doubtful Tuesday night.
In an injury-ravaged season, Iisalo has gained a respect for the fight displayed by those being forced into increased playing time and added responsibility.
Memphis was coming off back-to-back single-digit road losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and a home overtime setback to Philadelphia.
“I’m extremely proud, extremely proud, just like I was after both Lakers games,” Iisalo said. “This team has zero quit in it. They are fighting.
“They represent everything that’s good. Everybody who’s dressing is giving everything they have. They are fighting for each other. They never lose trust in it. They show emotion because they actually care. I’m incredibly, incredibly happy that they finally got some kind of payoff for that.”
Iisalo did receive some good news before the game as guard Vince Williams Jr. returned after missing eight games with knee tendinitis. Williams had 15 points — including four 3-pointers — six rebounds and five assists in 22 minutes in the win over the Spurs.
Phoenix lost at the buzzer Monday night as former Suns forward Kevin Durant drained a 3-pointer for the Houston Rockets with 1.1 seconds left for a 100-97 victory.
Suns coach Jordan Ott saw a benefit in the close loss, much like Iisalo in his team’s road losses in Los Angeles.
“We still have a (youngish) team,” Ott said. “It’s definitely a team that hasn’t been together for a long time. We don’t have a lot of corporate knowledge of exactly what we want to do in some of those (late-game) situations.
“But getting those reps are great. You can’t duplicate it (in practices).”
The Suns were bolstered against Houston by the return of guard Grayson Allen, who had six assists and four steals in 22 minutes. He had missed the previous nine games with a right knee injury.
“When you add (back) a high-level player like that it’s super helpful for our group,” Ott said. “His ability to beat people off the dribble … it was really good to see that.”
