In 1994, with the game on the line and the Bulls drawing up the final shot, Scottie Pippen famously sat out, frustrated that the play wasn’t drawn up for him. Years later, he admitted, “There’s always regrets about it, but as a player, I think I could’ve made that last shot.” What if Pippen had leaned into that scorer’s mindset full-time? Funny enough, that’s exactly the road his son, Scotty Pippen Jr., is taking now. While the weight of his father’s legendary shadow might loom, Scotty Jr. is carving his own identity, particularly evident in his recent playoff performance for the injury-riddled Memphis Grizzlies.

Game 4 was tough if you’re a Grizzlies fan. Memphis fought hard, but they ended up losing 117–115 to the Thunder, which sealed a 4-0 sweep and sent them packing from the playoffs. Thunder was all about control and efficiency. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played like a man on a mission, scoring 38 points, and the team fed off his ability to get to the basket and score in a variety of ways. Memphis tried to keep up, and offensively, they hung around, but without Ja Morant and with a few breakdowns late, they couldn’t string enough stops together when it really mattered. But despite the tough loss, one name definitely stood out.

Though the silence after the loss was deafening, the support from his parents quickly broke through. Larsa Pippen posted on her Instagram story, saying, “I’m so proud of my son. He’s one of the best point guards in the league! You had a great season, my love.” Scottie Pippen also shared a heartfelt post on his Instagram, writing, “You didn’t just show up. You showed out. Legacy isn’t inherited… it’s built. Proud of you, son.” It was a quiet, yet powerful moment of recognition for a young player already carving out his own path.

In Game 4, Scotty Pippen Jr. wasn’t just making plays — he was making history. Following an incredible Game 3, where he became only the second player in Grizzlies history (after Ja Morant) to post at least 25 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five made threes in a playoff game, Pippen Jr. carried that momentum into Game 4. He went even further, dropping a career-high 30 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for his first-ever postseason double-double. It wasn’t just about the numbers; it was about the way he played. With Ja Morant sidelined, the pressure was on, but Scotty embraced it, taking over the scoring load and knocking down tough shots from everywhere on the floor. He showed he’s not just a supporting player but a true leader when needed.

Commenting on his performance, Pippen Jr. reflected, “I feel like I’ve been working for this my whole life… last year I was in the G-League… definitely this is a dream come true.” Coach Tuomas Iisalo also took a moment to praise him, saying, “Scotty did a tremendous job throughout the end of the season. He was a very, very consistent player on both ends.” It was clear that Pippen Jr. had earned his spot, and Game 4 was just another step in what looks like a promising future.

Despite the individual brilliance of Scotty Pippen Jr. and a few bright spots, the Grizzlies just couldn’t find the consistency they needed, especially without Ja Morant. What went wrong?

Scotty Pippen Jr.’s career night amidst the struggles

The Grizzlies were significantly undermanned in Game 4, with Ja Morant, Jaylen Wells, and Brandon Clarke all sidelined due to injuries. Morant, who suffered a hip injury in Game 3 after a hard fall during a fast-break attempt, was ruled out for Game 4. His absence left a huge gap in Memphis’ lineup, as Morant had been their leader both in scoring and playmaking. Prior to exiting, Morant had contributed 15 points and 5 assists in just 16 minutes of play. Wells and Clarke, both key contributors throughout the season, also missed the game due to injuries. Without these key players, Memphis struggled to find the same level of cohesion they had throughout the season. The sheer number of key absences painted a clear picture of the uphill battle the Grizzlies faced.

In response to the injuries, the Grizzlies made adjustments to their starting lineup. Santi Aldama stepped into the starting role, contributing 23 points and nine rebounds, while Pippen Jr. took over as point guard. With Aldama’s ability to stretch the floor with 3-pointers and Pippen Jr.’s leadership on offense, Memphis had a fighting chance. However, despite these individual efforts, the Grizzlies were still unable to pull out a win.

Despite the tough loss, the Grizzlies demonstrated incredible resilience and determination, which didn’t go unnoticed by interim coach Iisalo. In his post-game comments, he couldn’t help but praise the heart the team showed, even in the face of a daunting challenge. “We fought,” he said. “There was zero quit in this team. Guys had every reason to just let this one slip away, but they didn’t, and that says a lot about the character in this group and what type of guys they are.”

Despite the tough playoff exit, the Grizzlies have plenty to look forward to. Scotty Pippen Jr.’s breakout performances and the team’s resilience, even without key players like Ja Morant, show they have the foundation to grow. With valuable playoff experience and Pippen Jr. stepping into a leading role, Memphis is primed to come back stronger and make a bigger push next season. The future is bright for this young squad.