Grizzlies Edge Bulls 125-124 in Memphis Thriller

The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Chicago Bulls 125-124 on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at FedExForum, surviving a late push behind Cedric Coward’s 24 points and nine rebounds in a one-point finish that turned on a massive third quarter from the home team.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Chicago opened with a slight edge and took the first period 30-28. The Bulls were efficient early, getting to their spots and setting the pace with balanced scoring. Memphis stayed close, but Chicago’s execution in the half court helped it carry a two-point lead into the second.

Second Quarter

The teams played even basketball in the second, with both sides scoring 28 points. That left the Bulls in front 58-56 at halftime. Memphis kept the game within reach by moving the ball well, and its 31 assists for the night reflected the offensive rhythm that was starting to build before the break.

Third Quarter

This was the decisive stretch. Memphis outscored Chicago 42-30 in the third and turned a two-point halftime deficit into a 98-88 lead entering the fourth. The Grizzlies sped up the game, generated clean looks across multiple possessions, and made up ground quickly despite Chicago’s solid offensive numbers overall.

Fourth Quarter

Chicago responded with a 36-point fourth quarter and nearly completed the comeback, while Memphis scored 27 in the final period. The Bulls kept pressure on the game by attacking the glass and earning free throws, but the Grizzlies did just enough to stay in front and came away with the win by a single point.

Key Performers

Memphis Grizzlies:
Cedric Coward led Memphis with 24 points and nine rebounds, adding four steals in an all-around performance. Walter Clayton Jr. paced the Grizzlies with six assists as Memphis finished with 31 total assists on 50 made field goals. As a team, the Grizzlies shot 46.7% from the field and got to 125 points despite making 12 of 38 from three-point range.

Chicago Bulls:
Matas Buzelis led all scorers with 29 points for Chicago. Josh Giddey delivered a triple-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, while also recording three blocks. The Bulls finished with a major rebounding advantage, 53-37, and shot 50.0% from the field. They also made 32 free throws, compared with 13 for Memphis, which kept them in position all night.

NerdSports Stat: Memphis won despite being outrebounded by 16 and trailing by 19 in made free throws, a rare formula made possible by its 50 made field goals and 31 assists on 107 shot attempts.

Game Analysis

The stat line makes this result stand out. Chicago was better on the glass, more efficient from the field, and far more productive at the foul line. In many games, that combination is enough to secure a road win. But Memphis made up the difference with volume and creation. The Grizzlies attempted 25 more shots than the Bulls, a huge possession gap that offset several of Chicago’s advantages.

That difference was most visible in the third quarter, when Memphis took control. The Grizzlies generated a steady stream of chances, shared the ball effectively, and found enough defensive stops to flip the game. Even though Chicago rallied with 36 points in the fourth, Memphis had built just enough cushion to withstand the final stretch.

For the Bulls, the comeback effort showed plenty of offensive quality. Buzelis gave them a top scoring option, and Giddey’s triple-double impacted every phase of the game. Still, Chicago could not fully erase the third-quarter swing, and that ended up being the margin that mattered most.

Closing Context

With the win, Memphis improved to 25-49 and moved to 14-23 at home. Chicago dropped to 29-45 and fell to 11-25 on the road. While both teams remain focused on the final stretch of the regular season, this result gave the Grizzlies a needed home win and showed how one dominant quarter can reshape a game, even against a team that won many of the night’s major statistical categories.

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