With a final score of 106-94, the Memphis Grizzlies were defeated by the New York Knicks, making it their second loss in as many nights. Injuries continue to plague the Grizzlies as they have all season, but adding Jaren Jackson Jr and Desmond Bane to the injured list made this a hard game to watch.
Let’s get into it.
Memphis began the season with a starting lineup that while missing its star point guard and center, still included two all-star caliber players. They entered Saturday night’s matchup with eight players who were more fitting as G-league all-stars and then lost one of those players after just 1:19 of playing time.
Here is a visualization of the Grizzlies’ current roster situation.
Keeping in mind that two of the eight players shown are on two-way contracts, that leaves the Grizzlies with six available active roster players.
It’s hard to be positive about how this season has gone for Memphis, who now have more of their active roster on the injured list than off it. But one bright spot in Saturday night’s game was seeing rookie and two-way player G. G. Jackson II put up a career-high 20 points in his seventh career NBA game. Jackson was drafted by the Grizzlies as the 45th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
Head coach Taylor Jenkins had nothing but praise for Jackson postgame, remarking that “he took advantage of the opportunity” and that “it was a good step in the right direction getting his first true NBA minutes.”
After last season’s ill-advised focus on rookies David Roddy, Jake LaRavia, Kennedy Chandler, and Kenneth Lofton Jr, the Grizzlies have had no choice but to lean on Roddy and to some extent LaRavia this season.
Jake LaRavia, who has spent most of the season with the Memphis Hustle, was called up for the game against the Knicks but was checked out with a sprained left ankle after less than two minutes of action.
In the first half, the Grizzlies outscored the Knicks 57-53, but that small lead was obliterated in short order after the Knicks outscored the Grizzlies 30-15 in the third quarter.
The team accumulated a season-high 14 steals, led by Xavier Tillman Sr.’s six steals, a career-high.
Even after taking advantage of 23 New York turnovers and converting them to 23 Memphis points, shooting struggles and lack of depth prevented the Grizzlies from clawing out a victory.
The team’s 19-game streak of 10 or more made three-pointers came to an end as Memphis struggled from long-range, shooting a collective 23.7% (9 of 38) from beyond the arc.
In an unusual showing, the Grizzlies highest scoring player of the night came from their second unit. G.G. Jackson II led the team with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block. He was followed by Vince Williams Jr., who closed out the night with 17 points, 8 rebounds, a career-high 8 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
David Roddy finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals. Luke Kennard also put up 14 points, along with 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Tillman added 12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and a career-high 6 steals.
From the second unit, Ziaire Williams added 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies will complete their three-game homestand Monday, facing off against the Golden State Warriors in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Game. Tip-off is at 5 PM CST.
