Luke Kennard Ignites Grizzlies with Late First-Quarter Surge, Caps 7-0 Run with Deep Three
April 16, 2025 – Memphis, TN
In a moment that perfectly captured his sharpshooting prowess, Luke Kennard buried a smooth three-pointer at the buzzer to close out the first quarter, energizing the FedExForum crowd and propelling the Memphis Grizzlies into a strong position against their Western Conference rival.
The final seconds of the opening period were a showcase of urgency and precision. After struggling to find offensive rhythm early in the quarter, the Grizzlies responded with a flurry. With under two minutes remaining, trailing by five, Memphis locked in defensively and turned stops into swift offensive execution. A floater by Jaren Jackson Jr., a transition bucket from Desmond Bane, and a pair of free throws from Marcus Smart brought Memphis even.
Then came the moment of the night.
With the shot clock off and just seconds on the game clock, the Grizzlies worked the ball to Kennard, stationed just beyond the arc near the left wing. With a quick jab step to create space, Kennard rose and launched a textbook three-pointer over a late contest. The ball swished through the net as the buzzer sounded, igniting the home crowd and capping a 7-0 run to give Memphis a 29-22 lead heading into the second quarter.
“It felt good as soon as it left my hand,” Kennard said postgame. “We knew we needed a spark, and I just wanted to stay ready when my number was called.”
Kennard, known for his elite perimeter shooting, continues to be a vital piece of Memphis’ second-unit offense. His ability to stretch the floor not only adds balance to the lineup but also opens driving lanes for the Grizzlies’ slashers.
“Luke’s shot changed the tempo of the game,” said head coach Taylor Jenkins. “That kind of momentum heading into the break—it’s huge. It lifts everyone.”
The first quarter had been a defensive grind on both sides, with neither team able to gain much separation. However, the Grizzlies’ late burst, capped by Kennard’s buzzer-beater, shifted the energy decisively. Memphis outshot their opponent 52% to 44% in the quarter and held a 10-3 advantage in fast break points—highlighting their effectiveness in transition, especially in the final stretch.
Kennard’s three also marked his 8th consecutive game with at least one made triple, a testament to his consistency and impact off the bench.
The Grizzlies will look to build off this momentum as the game continues, but no matter the final score, Kennard’s first-quarter dagger will be remembered as the spark that lit the fire.
Stat line at end of Q1:
Luke Kennard: 6 points (2-3 3PT), 1 assist
Grizzlies: 29
Opponent: 22
Memphis on a 7-0 run to end Q1
Stay tuned for more updates as the Grizzlies aim to maintain control and secure a critical win on home court.