Tuomas Iisalo explains why the Grizzlies didn’t guard VJ Edgecombe on the OT game winner
The Memphis Grizzlies showed their teeth and played with a lot of fire Tuesday night, playing a brand of basketball that reminded fans how exciting this team can be when it clicks. Those emotions were eventually suppressed by broken disappointment, like a talented rookie quarterback VJ Edgecombe drained a 3-pointer to lift the Philadelphia 76ers to a 139-136 overtime victory.
Ja Morant was absolutely electrifying, scoring 40 points on 16-of-22 shooting while newcomer Cedric Coward scored 28 points (10-of-16) and grabbed 16 rebounds in a primetime game for everyone. Unfortunately, those remarkable performances will be overshadowed by one bucket. It wasn’t just the Edgecombe game-winner that blew the fans away, it was the fact that he had such an open look.
Morant decided to double-team Tyrese Maxey off a screen, leaving the fearless 20-year-old unattended just long enough to stun the Grizzlies. Memphis head coach Tuomas Iisalo explained what was the team’s plan on that fateful possession.
“We went through it that we had to foul in a timeout, that was one of the things we wanted to do if given the opportunity,” he told reporters after the loss, per Parish Sharkey of the Bluff Citi Media Grizzlies. “But we were also aware of the fact that they have a couple of players who are very good … it’s end-of-game situations. I thought, overall, we played a very good game. Unfortunately, the ball didn’t go our way at the end.”
Tuomas Iisalo talks about the Grizzlies’ defensive strategy on the final possession that led to VJ Edgecomb’s game-winner: pic.tvitter.com/FNlIKTOiKt
— Parish Sharkey (@DaOne_PShark) December 31, 2025
Iisalo said he’s fine with the added defensive pressure on Maxi. The Grizzlies still had a chance to blow the roof off FedExForum, but Coward missed a 3-pointer as time expired.
2025-12-31 09:14:00
