Grizzlies Set Franchise Record by Overcoming 26-Point Deficit

The Memphis Grizzlies set a new team record in Thursday's 111-110 win over the Sacramento Kings, overcoming a deficit of 26 points or more in a victory for the first time in franchise history, per ESPN Stats & Info.

In a meeting between two teams that have gotten off to surprisingly fast starts, the Grizzlies were flat-out dominated in the first quarter, which ended with the Kings holding a 38-16 lead. Sacramento was up by as much as 24 during the initial frame, having taken a 35-11 lead with two minutes and 15 seconds remaining.

The Griz bottomed out with 10:14 remaining in the second quarter when Kings forward Carl Landry made a layup to give his team a 44-18 lead, good for the aforementioned 26-point margin. Memphis quickly responded with an 8-0 run, bringing the score to 44-26 and the deficit to 18 points.

The game was rather even from that point until the fourth quarter, as the Kings carried a 91-76 lead until the final frame.

Memphis dominated the last 12 minutes, eventually taking its first lead (109-108) of the game on a three-point shot by point guard Mike Conley with 10.7 seconds remaining.

Kings center DeMarcus Cousins responded with a pair of free throws to retake the lead, and Sacramento was in excellent position to win after subsequently getting a defensive stop, which was followed by an intentional foul of shooting guard Ben McLemore with 0.6 seconds on the clock.

McLemore missed both free throws, and Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph came down with the ball quickly, getting a timeout with 0.4 seconds remaining.

The Grizzlies' Vince Carter then inbounded an alley-oop of sorts to teammate Courtney Lee, who sunk a layup while flying through the air at the buzzer.

The wild ending ensured that the record-setting performance will be remembered, as it was truly one of the more unusual finishes in recent NBA history.