The Memphis Grizzlies secured a 120-119 victory over the Houston Rockets at FedEx Forum on Thursday. The closely contested battle came down to the final seconds before Rockets star Fred VanVleet attempted a clever trick to tilt the game in his team’s favor.
With just 8.6 seconds remaining, Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. stepped to the free-throw line, looking to extend Memphis’ narrow 119-118 lead. VanVleet tried a lighthearted move as he was caught humorously attempting to wipe the sweat on Jackson’s hand, perhaps hoping to throw off his concentration.
Fred VanVleet wiped his sweat on Jaren Jackson Jr.‘s arm before his game-winning free throws 🤣
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 31, 2025
(via @Devin_Walker2)
pic.twitter.com/H51WO5EJDG
However, Jackson remained unfazed, simply brushing off VanVleet’s hand before sinking both of his crucial free throws. Despite VanVleet’s best efforts, the Grizzlies held on for the win, improving their record to 32-16.
Jackson delivered a solid performance, finishing with 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Meanwhile, VanVleet contributed 13 points, one rebound, and five assists in the loss.
Houston Rockets Eyeing Contract Extension For Fred VanVleet
Since joining the Houston Rockets in the 2023 offseason, Fred VanVleet has emerged as a key leader. The former Toronto Raptors star, who spent seven seasons with the Raptors, has quickly become an integral part of Houston’s lineup.
There’s no doubt that Houston views VanVleet as a crucial building block for the team, and reports suggest that the Rockets may be looking to lock him down with a new contract. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, VanVleet could be in line for an extension that reflects his growing importance.
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The numbers back up the trust the Rockets have placed in VanVleet. He is currently averaging 14.9 points, 4.0 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game. Whether he stays with the team on his current contract or signs an extension, his presence will remain a central factor in Houston’s ongoing rebuild.
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