Desmond Bane earns a spot on Memphis’ list of top playoff scoring performances.
1. Ja Morant, 47 points (2021 Western Conference First Round, Game 2)
The Grizzlies selected Morant with the second pick in the 2019 Draft. The 2020-21 season marked his first trip to the playoffs. In Game 2 of a 2021 Western Conference first round series with the Jazz, Morant made his presence felt by scoring 47 points over 43 minutes. He shot 15-for-26 from the field and 15-for-20 from the free throw line. However, the Jazz still found a way to win the game. That was the first of four straight losses for the Grizzlies as they were eliminated from the playoffs.
2. Ja Morant, 47 points (2022 Wester Conference Semis, Game 2)
The Grizzlies also made the playoffs the following season and Morant provided another 47-point performance. This time, it came in Game 2 of a 2022 Western Conference semifinals matchup against the Warriors. Morant shot 15-for-31 from the field in the game and went 12-for-13 from the free throw line. No other member of the Grizzlies scored more than 14 points, but the Grizzlies still won because of Morant. The Grizzlies would eventually lose the series in six games.
3. Ja Morant, 45 points (2023 Western Conference First Round, Game 3)
The 2023 playoffs brought a first-round matchup against the Lakers for the Grizzlies. After splitting the first two games, the Lakers earned a victory in Game 3. Morant did his best to try and make the Grizzlies the victor of that game, scoring 45 points over 42 minutes. He shot 13-for-26 from the field and 13-for-14 from the free-throw line. No other player on the Grizzlies scored more than 18 points in the game and their bench combined to score a total of 12 points.
4. Desmond Bane, 36 points (2023 Western Conference First Round, Game 4)
After Morant scored 45 points in Game 3 of that 2023 series against the Lakers, Bane exploded for 36 points in Game 4. He shot 13-for-29 from the field and also made all seven of his free throws. The Lakers still won the game, though, thanks in part to Morant shooting only 8-for-24 from the field. During that entire 2023 playoff run, Bane averaged 23.5 points and 2.7 three-pointers per game.
5. Mike Conley Jr., 35 points (2017 Western Conference First Round, Game 4)
The Grizzlies selected Conley with the fourth pick in the 2007 Draft. He played the first 12 seasons of his career with the franchise, making the playoffs six times. His best playoff scoring performance came in Game 4 of a 2017 Western Conference first-round series against the Spurs. Conley scored 35 points, shooting 13-for-23 from the field and making four three-pointers. The Grizzlies won the game, but lost the series to the Spurs in six games. Across 56 career playoff games with the Grizzlies, Conley averaged 16.5 points and shot 41.4% from the field.
