Grizzlies' Jenkins ‘curious' again after late non-call in Game 4

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Taylor Jenkins is curious again. 

The Memphis Grizzlies' coach thought Jaren Jackson Jr. might have been fouled by Draymond Green on a potential game-tying 3-pointer late in the Warriors’ 101-98 win in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday, as Golden State took a commanding three-games-to-one lead in the series.

The shot would’ve tied the game at 98 with under 15 seconds to play, but it was a tough shot from the top of the arc with Green contesting Jackson closely.

“We were trying with 19 seconds left to go quick, get a quick two or a quick three,” Jenkins said to reporters. “I think maybe a shot that was a little rushed right there. I’m actually curious what [the league] will say. I think there was contact. I’m just curious what they’ll say at the end of that one. That was heavily contested, but I think there was a lot of contact. Probably a rushed shot on our part but it just didn’t go our way.”

This isn’t the first time Jenkins has openly wondered if the NBA would review a play in this series. After Jordan Poole reached for a loose ball in Game 3 and caught Ja Morant’s knee instead, Jenkins said he was “very curious” what the league office would do in potentially handing down a penalty on Poole.

The league declined to review the play further, but that apparently didn’t stop Jenkins’ curiosity from flaring up again in Game 4. 

Not even Jackson Jr. himself thought he was fouled, admitting to reporters that he just “missed” the shot.

But his coach appears to be very willing to have his players’ backs.

Jenkins also explained why he didn’t challenge a loose ball foul on Desmond Bane with 25.9 seconds to go and the Warriors up 94-93. While going for an offensive rebound, Bane pushed Curry, who might have sold the call by falling out of bounds. The huge foul call sent Curry to the line at the other end, and he sank both free throws to give the Warriors a 3-point lead -- the margin they would win by.

The Grizzlies coach told reporters that his assistant coaches looked at the replay and decided they were unlikely to win a challenge. 

Apparently, there are scenarios where Jenkins believes a review isn’t appropriate.

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