The Minnesota Timberwolves seemingly had Game 3 won, but then an epic comeback by the Memphis Grizzlies happened.
For those of you who walked away from your televisions thinking that the Minnesota Timberwolves had Game 3 secured, please sit down. We need to inform you about some news.
The Memphis Grizzlies had an epic comeback in the second half to defeat the Timberwolves 104-95 and subsequently take a 2-1 first-round series lead. For reference, the Grizzlies were down by 26 points at one point in the game, while the Timberwolves had two 20-point leads and a 98-percent win probability entering the fourth quarter.
Given how the Timberwolves fumbled a sure-fire victory out of their grasp, Twitter was not so kind to them, and they became the subject of memes. Here are 11 of the best tweets following Memphis’ Game 3 win.
The 11 best viral tweets from Grizzlies’ historic comeback vs. Timberwolves
they just blew a 20-point lead twice in one game.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 22, 2022
Minnesota's win probability was 98% at the start of the 4Q
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) April 22, 2022
Enhance pic.twitter.com/WEzgSNcBHJ
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) April 22, 2022
the Timberwolves did WHAT
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) April 22, 2022
The Grizzlies in the first three quarters vs. the fourth: pic.twitter.com/mRGAkwWdJb
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 22, 2022
A game of runs 🥴 pic.twitter.com/4obe06zq0V
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 22, 2022
“Well done, we taught you well.”
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 22, 2022
—The Vikings
Prior to tonight, teams were 380-8 (.979) in the playoffs after leading by at least 25 points over the 26 years (since '97) for which we have pbp data.
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) April 22, 2022
End of 3rd
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) April 22, 2022
MIN 83
MEM 67
End of 4th
MIN 95
MEM 104
Massive collapse. Massive comeback
ASTOUNDING COMEBACK BY THE GRIZZLIES - MOSTLY IN SPITE OF JA (5-18, 5-10 FTS, 7 TURNOVERS). BRANDON CLARKE AND DESMOND BANE MADE THE PLAYS AND SHOTS THAT KD AND KYRIE SHOULD HAVE LAST NIGHT.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 22, 2022
The Grizzlies went on a 42-12 run in the last 13 minutes to win. pic.twitter.com/zQmlQ8wkwk
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 22, 2022
The Grizzlies outscored the Timberwolves by 25 points in the fourth quarter, tied for the third-largest points differential in a fourth quarter in NBA postseason history and tied for the largest points differential in the fourth quarter of a postseason road game according to ESPN Stats & Info.
As mentioned by StatMuse’s tweet above, Memphis went on a ridiculous 42-12 run since the final minute of the third quarter.
Desmond Bane led the way for the Grizzlies, as he scored 26 points while shooting 7-for-15 from the three-point line. Despite having a poor shooting night (5-for-18 from field), Ja Morant secured a triple-double by recording 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards’ historic night will be overshadowed by Minnesota’s baffling collapse. By scoring 19 points, Edwards recorded the most points by a player under 21-years-old in their first three playoff games, passing Stephon Marbury and Bradley Beal, both of whom had 64 points.
Anthony Edwards. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/jGhU3ax613
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 22, 2022
This loss will sting, but the Timberwolves will look to bounce back with a Game 4 victory at home on Saturday, Apr. 23 at 10:00 p.m. ET.