Nets beat Grizzlies 126-115 in Brooklyn as short-handed Memphis fades in fourth quarter

Brooklyn controls final period to secure second straight win

The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 126-115 on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Barclays Center, using an early fourth-quarter push to separate from a Memphis team that dressed only eight players.

Brooklyn led 65-57 at halftime and maintained a narrow advantage through most of the third quarter before taking control in the opening minutes of the fourth. A 3-pointer that extended the lead to 101-90 was followed by additional baskets that pushed the margin into double digits, and the Nets closed with a 35-point fourth quarter.

Efficiency and depth tilt the game toward Brooklyn

Brooklyn’s shooting efficiency was a defining factor. The Nets made 47 of 85 field-goal attempts (55%) and hit 17 of 33 from three-point range (52%). Memphis shot 40 of 92 from the floor (43%) and made 14 of 35 from beyond the arc (40%).

Although Memphis finished with fewer turnovers (15) than Brooklyn (20), the Nets compensated with stronger rebounding (43-36) and a significant advantage in playmaking, recording 35 assists to the Grizzlies’ 25. Brooklyn also won the bench scoring battle 67-40, a gap that reflected both rotation health and the volume of minutes required from Memphis’ available players.

Key performers

Day’Ron Sharpe led Brooklyn with 19 points while matching a season high, and Ochai Agbaji added 18. Nolan Traore contributed 17 as the Nets placed six players in double figures.

For Memphis, Rayan Rupert scored a career-high 20 points and Javon Small added 19. With limited personnel, Memphis’ scoring load was concentrated among the available rotation and the team had less flexibility to manage foul trouble, fatigue, and matchup changes late.

Memphis availability: eight active, multiple regulars sidelined

The Grizzlies entered the night without several key players, including Ja Morant (left elbow) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (right toe soreness). Santi Aldama (knee), Ty Jerome (calf), Taylor Hendricks (right thumb soreness), Brandon Clarke (calf), and Taj Gibson (reconditioning) were also unavailable. Zach Edey and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were listed as out for the season.

By the numbers

• Score by quarter: Nets 33-32-26-35; Grizzlies 31-26-29-29
• Three-point shooting: Brooklyn 17/33; Memphis 14/35
• Assists: Brooklyn 35; Memphis 25
• Bench points: Brooklyn 67; Memphis 40

Brooklyn’s combination of efficient three-point shooting and fourth-quarter scoring created separation after a competitive third period.

The result left both teams with identical game totals in the season series, split 1-1.