Jackson, Bane lead Grizzlies to 117-111 victory over Philadelphia

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr. had 25 points, Desmond Bane added 21 points and 10 rebounds and the Memphis Grizzlies set a season-high with 19 3-pointers in a 117-111 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Jaylen Wells added 14 points for Memphis as Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins became the winningest coach in franchise history.

Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 35 points and 11 rebounds, but Philadelphia lost its fifth straight. Rookie Jared McCain finished with 20 points, while Guerschon Yabusele added 17 points.

Memphis, which led 115-100 with 3:15 left, had to withstand a late Philadelphia rally to capture the victory.

76ers: While the Sixers had Tyrese Maxey and Paul George back, Embiid got little help from the other two. Maxey had eight points and George added two.

Grizzlies: Jenkins passed Lionel Hollins for the winningest coach in Grizzlies history, and now has 215 victories.

The biggest key could have been when the starting lineups were announced. For the first time this season, Philadelphia's three key players — Embiid, George and Maxey — started. Until Tuesday, injuries and league suspensions had kept the trio from appearing on the floor together. It only lasted until early in the second half when George left the game with hyperextended left knee. Team officials said further testing will be done Thursday.

Memphis had struggled recently from 3-point range, (33.3%) and Bane was among those having trouble going 2 of 16 from beyond the arc in his last three games. Memphis connected on eight 3-pointers in the second quarter with Bane hitting on three and 4 of 7 in the half as the Grizzlies took the advantage to double digits. A 20-9 rally to open the fourth sealed the victory.

Philadelphia hosts Brooklyn on Friday night. The Grizzlies travel to Chicago to face the Bulls on Saturday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jake LaRavia in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jake LaRavia connect after a play in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) handles the ball ahead of Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Philadelphia 76ers guard Reggie Jackson (00), Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7), forward Paul George (8), and forward Jaylen Wells (0) struggle for control of the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Former British Open champion Cameron Smith and Jason Day, back Down Under for the first time in seven years, shot 4-under 67s Thursday and were two strokes off the lead midway through the first round of the Australian PGA at Royal Queensland.

Smith, the 2022 British Open champion at St. Andrews, 2015 U.S. PGA Championship winner Day and fellow Australian Marc Leishman were in a group behind first-round early leader Elvis Smylie, the son of former Australian tennis pro Liz Smylie, who shot 65, and Joel Girrbach of Switzerland (66).

Min Woo Lee, who won last year's tournament at Royal Queensland, shot 68 and was three strokes off the lead. Lee, Day and Smith were in the same early group Thursday in the joint PGA Tour of Australasia and the inaugural European Tour event for the 2025 season.

The 22-year-old Smylie, who is from the nearby Gold Coast, said the tournament was like a “home game” for him.

“It’s only an hour’s drive,” Smylie said. “I’ve played a lot of golf here. I’m quite familiar with the course and every part of my game’s really good at the moment. I’m really comfortable with what I’m doing.”

The 37-year-old Day said enjoyed being in the featured group Thursday. He hasn't played in his home country since the 2017 Australian Open and he has not played the Australian PGA since 2011.

“Obviously Cammy’s (Smith) is a big draw here. It’s nice to get out there and watch Min,” Day said. "It’s unbelievable how far that guy hits it. He seems like he’s got a lot of control. He just had just a couple of bad breaks and obviously some swings out there, but overall, he’s playing pretty solid.

“It’s always nervous to come back and try and defend,” Day added. “And then when you’re in the marquee group, there’s a lot of people watching and it’s always a little bit more nerve-wracking coming back as a defending champ.”

Day said Smith was feeling under the weather and Smith later confirmed the diagnosis.

“I think Tuesday out here in the rain and then Wednesday in the rain, a couple of big weeks and stuff, I think it just got to me a little bit,” Smith said. "Just a little bit of a head cold thing . . . I'll be right, I’ll live.”

Lee (ranked No. 48) and Day (No. 31) are the only players from the top 50 in the world in the field. Smith is playing his third straight week in PGA Tour of Australasia tournaments — he closed with 74 last week to lose a two-shot lead at the New South Wales Open, finishing tied for second and three strokes behind winner and fellow LIV player Lucas Herbert.

Many of the same players will travel to Melbourne next week for the Australian Open, also on the European Tour, which is being played concurrently with the Women's Australian Open at famed sandbelt courses Kingston Heath and Victoria.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Min Woo Lee of Australia, left, Justin Rose of England, centre, and Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark prepare to plays their second shot at the 3rd hole during the second round of Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)