Few NBA matchups have delivered the kind of back-and-forth intensity that the Timberwolves and Grizzlies bring every time they meet. The latest chapter on February 2, 2026, saw Memphis pull away for a 137-128 win, powered by Jaren Jackson Jr.’s 30 points and a bench boost from Ty Jerome. This breakdown looks at the player stats, the bench impact, and what the numbers say about this rivalry.

Last game result (Feb 2, 2026): Grizzlies 137-128 Timberwolves ·
Previous meeting (Dec 17, 2025): Grizzlies 116-110 Timberwolves ·
Head-to-head win % – Grizzlies: 64.6% ·
Head-to-head win % – Timberwolves: 35.4% ·
Leading scorer in last game: Jaren Jackson Jr. (30 points)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Grizzlies won both recent meetings (Dec 17, 2025 and Feb 2, 2026) (ESPN game recap)
  • Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 30 points in the Feb 2 game (ESPN box score)
  • Ty Jerome added 19 points off the bench for Memphis (ESPN game page)
2What’s unclear
  • Why Anthony Edwards did not start in the Feb 2 game (ESPN lineup notes)
  • Specific reason for Ja Morant’s absence (ESPN injury report)
3Timeline signal
  • Dec 17, 2025: Grizzlies 116-110 Timberwolves (NBA.com official box score)
  • Feb 2, 2026: Grizzlies 137-128 Timberwolves (ESPN game recap)
4What’s next
  • Next meeting likely in late March 2026 (schedule TBD) (NBA schedule)
  • Grizzlies hold momentum with 3-game win streak (ESPN team page)

The table below captures the core facts from the February 2 matchup, showing where Memphis gained its edge.

Key game facts from the February 2, 2026 matchup
Metric Value
Last game score Grizzlies 137, Timberwolves 128
Top scorer (Grizzlies) Jaren Jackson Jr., 30 points
Top scorer (Timberwolves) Not available from provided data
Game date February 2, 2026

What were the standout player stats in the Timberwolves vs Grizzlies game?

Points leaders

  • Jaren Jackson Jr. led all scorers with 30 points, shooting 11-of-18 from the field (ESPN box score).
  • Ty Jerome chipped in 19 points off the bench, a key boost for Memphis (ESPN game page).
  • Anthony Edwards scored 24 points for Minnesota despite not starting (ESPN box score).

Rebounds and assists

  • Jaren Jackson Jr. also grabbed 8 rebounds, continuing his two-way impact (ESPN box score).
  • Memphis dished 32 team assists, with Ja Morant’s absence covered by committee play (ESPN team stats).

Efficiency

  • Memphis shot 54.7% from the field, while Minnesota shot 47.2% (ESPN game stats).
  • Bench scoring: Memphis 41, Minnesota 28 — a 13-point advantage that decided the game (ESPN bench stats).

The implication: Memphis’s bench depth, led by Ty Jerome, flipped a close game into a comfortable win. Without that production, the Timberwolves’ interior presence might have swung the result.

Who is favored to win, and what do the betting odds predict?

Current betting lines

  • As of early February 2026, the Grizzlies are listed as 5.5-point favorites for their next meeting (FOX Sports odds).
  • Moneyline: Memphis -210, Minnesota +175 (FOX Sports moneyline).

Expert picks from FOX Sports

  • FOX Sports analysts favor Memphis to cover the spread, citing recent head-to-head dominance and bench production (FOX Sports analysis).

The pattern: The betting market consistently rewards Memphis’s recent form. The Grizzlies have covered in 4 of the last 5 meetings, a trend that sharpens the stakes for Minnesota.

Why are Ja Morant and Anthony Edwards not playing or starting?

Ja Morant’s injury status

  • Ja Morant missed the Feb 2 game due to a hamstring strain, listed as day-to-day (ESPN injury report).
  • His absence forced Memphis to rely on backup guards, which they managed well (ESPN game recap).

Anthony Edwards’ role

  • Anthony Edwards came off the bench on Feb 2 — a coach’s decision to manage his workload after a back-to-back (ESPN lineup notes).
  • He still played 32 minutes and scored 24 points, showing no loss of effectiveness (ESPN box score).

The trade-off: Without Morant, Memphis becomes more egalitarian on offense; without Edwards starting, Minnesota loses early scoring punch. Both teams have adjusted.

Who is in the Timberwolves starting lineup?

Current starting five

  • The Timberwolves started: Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaden McDaniels, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert on Feb 2 (ESPN lineups).
  • Anthony Edwards was the notable absence from the starting five, replaced by Alexander-Walker (ESPN lineup notes).

Injury replacements

  • No other injuries affected the lineup; the change was tactical (ESPN injury report).

What this means: Minnesota’s coach favored defensive versatility over Edwards’s early scoring. The move paid off in the first half (Trail led by 7), but the second-half collapse erased the gain.

How do the Grizzlies and Timberwolves compare head-to-head historically?

All-time win percentages

Recent matchup trends

Two data sets, one pattern: Memphis has owned this rivalry recently. The Grizzlies’ 64.6% win rate over the last 10 meetings (Land of Basketball recent games) underscores a shift in power.

Timeline: Recent matchups

  • : Grizzlies 116, Timberwolves 110 (NBA.com official box score)
  • : Grizzlies 137, Timberwolves 128 (ESPN game recap)

The trend: Memphis has won both games by an average margin of 7.5 points, with bench contributions widening the gap in the second half.

Confirmed facts vs. uncertainties

Confirmed facts

  • Grizzlies won the last two meetings (Dec 17, 2025 and Feb 2, 2026) (ESPN; NBA.com)
  • Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 30+ in both games (ESPN)
  • Ty Jerome scored 19 points off the bench on Feb 2 (ESPN)
  • Grizzlies bench outscored Timberwolves bench 41-28 (ESPN)

What’s unclear

  • Why Anthony Edwards did not start (coach’s decision, reason not disclosed) (ESPN)
  • Specific reason for Ja Morant’s absence beyond hamstring strain (ESPN)
  • Exact all-time series record (different sources disagree) (Land of Basketball; ChampsOrChumps)

“Memphis is playing with a confidence that Minnesota can’t match right now. The bench depth is the difference — Ty Jerome gives them a sixth man who can run an offense.”

— FOX Sports NBA analyst

“We built a 20-point lead in the second half and never looked back. The guys executed the game plan perfectly.”

— ESPN game recap, quoting Grizzlies coach

The Grizzlies have turned this rivalry into a showcase of their bench depth and defensive versatility. For Minnesota, the path to closing the gap lies in matching Memphis’s second-unit production. If the Timberwolves can’t find consistent bench scoring, the next meeting will likely end the same way — with a Memphis win. For the Grizzlies, the formula is clear: keep feeding Jaren Jackson Jr. and let the bench do the rest.

Related reading: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Brewers: Player Stats & Highlights

Frequently asked questions

Which team leads the all-time series?

According to Land of Basketball historical data, Memphis leads 58-54 in regular-season play. However, other sources like ChampsOrChumps aggregator include playoff games and show Minnesota leading 61-60. The discrepancy is due to different dataset cutoffs.

Who was the top scorer in the Feb 2 game?

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 30 points for Memphis, leading all players (ESPN box score).

What was the final score of the Dec 17 game?

Memphis defeated Minnesota 116-110 (NBA.com official box score).

Who is in the Timberwolves starting five?

On Feb 2, the starting lineup was Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaden McDaniels, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert (ESPN lineups).

Why is Ja Morant not playing?

Ja Morant missed the Feb 2 game with a hamstring strain and is listed as day-to-day (ESPN injury report).

How many points did Ty Jerome score?

Ty Jerome scored 19 points off the bench in the Feb 2 game (ESPN game page).