SAN ANTONIO — Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 28 points and the Memphis Grizzlies completed the largest comeback in the NBA this season, rallying from a 29-point deficit in the third quarter to beat the San Antonio Spurs 126-120 in overtime Friday night.
Desmond Bane added 21 points, including eight points in overtime, and Tyus Jones had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for Memphis, which faced a nine-point deficit in the final minute of regulation before outscoring San Antonio 9-0 to send it to overtime.
The Grizzlies’ comeback, which is also the largest in franchise history, topped the Brooklyn Nets‘ 28-point comeback against the Boston Celtics on March 3.
It came as Ja Morant nears his return for Memphis. The All-Star guard missed his seventh game as part of an eight-game suspension for “conduct detrimental to the league.” Memphis improved to 4-3 without Morant.
Devin Vassell had 25 points and Zach Collins added 24 for San Antonio, which fell to 0-5 in overtime this season after being outscored 63-40 in the second half.
After trailing by 29, Memphis tied it at 109 on a 3-pointer by Dillon Brooks with 1.8 seconds remaining in regulation. Vassell’s desperation 36-foot heave did not reach the rim as regulation ended.
Brooks finished with 16 points, while going 4 for 8 on 3-pointers.
San Antonio was without key reserves Doug McDermott, Devonte’ Graham and Romeo Langford and lost Jeremy Sochan after eight minutes. Memphis was without Steven Adams and Brandon Clark.
The Grizzlies called two timeouts within 37 seconds midway through the first quarter following a 3-pointer by Collins and another by Vassell.
Memphis attempted to respond with greater physicality. Jackson threw down two monstrous dunks against Sochan in the first quarter, the second of which led to a timeout by an angry coach Gregg Popovich. Sochan left shortly after that exchange after aggravating a sore right knee that kept him out of Wednesday’s game.
Bane later chased down Keldon Johnson on a fastbreak off a steal, blocking an attempted dunk at the rim. Bane then drove a shoulder into Johnson’s chest on the ensuing possession to draw a defensive foul.
The Spurs countered by going 12 for 24 on 3-pointers in the first half in building a 25-point lead.
San Antonio shot 31% from the field in the second half, including 6 for 20 on 3-pointers, while committing 14 turnovers.
Brooks and Jackson combined for 26 points in the second half.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.