Grizzlies Take 123-112 Road Win Over Kings Behind Third-Quarter Surge

The Memphis Grizzlies earned a 123-112 road victory over the Sacramento Kings on October 26, 2026, using a decisive third-quarter run to break open a game that had been tightly contested through the first half. At Golden 1 Center, Memphis combined transition speed, aggressive rebounding and timely three-point shooting to hand Sacramento a home defeat in NBA regular-season play.

The final scoreline reflects a game that was close early but tilted firmly toward the Grizzlies after halftime. Sacramento stayed within striking distance behind strong interior play and a productive night from its primary scorers, but Memphis’ depth and defensive activity proved too much over the final 24 minutes.

Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring

• First quarter: Sacramento 28, Memphis 31
• Second quarter: Sacramento 30, Memphis 27
• Halftime: Sacramento 58, Memphis 58
• Third quarter: Sacramento 24, Memphis 34
• Fourth quarter: Sacramento 30, Memphis 31
• Final: Sacramento 112, Memphis 123

The halftime score underlined how evenly matched the teams looked through two quarters. Both sides moved the ball well and found quality shots, but Memphis’ third-quarter explosion changed the rhythm of the game. The Grizzlies outscored Sacramento 34-24 in that period, turning a tied game into a 10-point cushion entering the fourth.

Key Moments

The decisive stretch came midway through the third quarter. Memphis strung together a series of stops and converted them into quick baskets at the other end, forcing Sacramento to play catch-up basketball. A transition dunk followed by a corner three pushed the Grizzlies’ lead into double digits and silenced the home crowd.

Sacramento briefly threatened in the fourth, cutting the deficit to seven with under six minutes remaining, but Memphis answered with a composed possession that ended in a basket inside. The Grizzlies then closed the game at the free-throw line, preventing the Kings from completing a late comeback.

Tactical Story

Memphis won this game with pace and pressure. The Grizzlies pushed the ball after every made basket and long rebound, forcing Sacramento’s defense to make decisions before it was fully set. That approach generated easy looks in transition and helped Memphis overcome a strong Sacramento shooting night from inside the arc.

Sacramento’s half-court offense was effective for long stretches, particularly when the ball entered the post and created off-ball movement. However, the Kings struggled to contain Memphis’ dribble penetration in the third quarter. Once the Grizzlies got into the paint, they either finished at the rim or kicked out to open shooters.

The rebounding battle also favored Memphis in the second half. Extra possessions and second-chance points gave the Grizzlies the margin they needed in a game where both teams shot the ball reasonably well.

Standout Players

Memphis was led by its All-Star backcourt and frontcourt athleticism. Ja Morant finished with 31 points and nine assists, repeatedly breaking down Sacramento’s defense in the open floor. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 26 points and 11 rebounds, providing both rim protection and scoring versatility.

For Sacramento, Domantas Sabonis produced a strong all-around line with 24 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. Zach LaVine added 27 points, while the Kings’ bench contributed timely shooting in the first half. Despite those efforts, Sacramento could not match Memphis’ third-quarter intensity.

Season Impact

The win gives Memphis a valuable road result in the Western Conference race and reinforces its ability to close games away from home. For Sacramento, the loss is a reminder that defensive consistency remains the key issue. The Kings showed enough offensive firepower to compete, but allowing 123 points at home makes winning difficult against a playoff-caliber opponent.

Both teams will move quickly to the next stage of their schedules, but this game will be remembered in Memphis as an example of how its speed and depth can overwhelm a quality Western Conference rival.