Shortly before the game, we learned of the death of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash earlier that day.
 |
| I'm holding the game's giveaway: a rally flag. This was Lucky's second Grizzlies game, his first being earlier in the season, which was attended by just himself & Katie. |
 |
| Us two cuties before the game. |
We got upgraded seats after we got to FedExForum, but we were all spread out!
 |
| Barbra and I sat in Section 109, Row S, Seats 15 & 16... |
 |
| ...Katie & Lucky sat in Pinnacle 4... |
 |
| ...and Scott sat in Section 115. |
Right before the game, the Grizzlies had a moment of silence for Kobe Bryant. We heard before the game that at the beginning of the Raptors/Spurs game that day, both teams had taken 24-second shot clock violations to start the game to honor Bryant's #24. I wondered if the Grizzlies & Suns would do that, too. So sure enough, after the Grizzlies won the tip, they let the 24-second shot clock expire. Then the Suns inbounded the ball in the backcourt without advancing it to the frontcourt. I was thinking, "They're going to get an 8-second violation for not advancing it, why aren't they advancing it?" Then I realized what they were doing: they were honoring the #8 that Bryant wore at the beginning of his career. Then the crown chanted, "Kobe! Kobe!" The game clock also went out for a short while after the two violations, but I don't know whether it was part of the tribute, or if they were just having technical problems.
 |
| The series finale of Star Wars Resistance was also going to air that night, so I wore my Grizzlies/Star Wars hat, shirt, and lanyard! (Well, I would've worn the lanyard anyway. It holds my MVP Credential!) |
 |
| The Grizzlies won 114-109 |
