Zach Edey goes up for a hook shot on November 4, 2024 in a game against the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Monday night matchup didn’t go as planned, ending in a 106-104 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets, who secured a two-game sweep of the season-series.
The Grizzlies dominated inside, outscoring Brooklyn 66-48 in the paint, but the Nets countered with a strong outside game, hitting 13 three-pointers to Memphis’ eight.
Zach Edey had a stellar performance, scoring 25 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and blocking four shots. He made history as the first rookie since Hakeem Olajuwon (1984) to achieve 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 4+ blocks on 90% shooting.
Additionally, Edey became the first Memphis rookie since Marc Gasol (2009) to record consecutive double-doubles in points and rebounds.
Ja Morant added 25 points, nine assists and five rebounds as Memphis dropped to 4-4 on the season.
Again, Morant showcased his thrilling skills, delivering Ja-dropping plays that quickly spread across social media, solidifying his reputation as the NBA’s most electrifying player.
NBA Communications announced on X (formerly Twitter), “Ja Morant’s two acrobatic layups from last night’s Grizzlies-Nets game have generated 161M video views (and counting) across NBA social media. Each play stands out as the most-viewed video on NBA platforms this season.”
99.99999999% of people will never make 1 play like this.
Jaren Jackson Jr. struggled from the field at times but made plays on both sides of the ball late that put Memphis in a position to possibly win the game.
An INSANE step-back 3 to take and make from Jaren. He's showing his clutch gene, which will be massive in close games for the Grizzlies alongside Ja pic.twitter.com/h58gZbPV6H
Jay Huff #30 of the Memphis Grizzlies waits for a rebound during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers. (Credit: NBAE/Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies took on the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday night and came up with a resounding 124-107 victory on the back of career nights from several team members.
The game started slowly in the first quarter, with the Grizzlies struggling with turnovers from sloppy ball handling and poor three-point shooting.
But Memphis pushed the pace in the second quarter, outshooting Philadelphia from the field and beyond the arc. The Grizzlies finished the half with a seven-point lead that would only continue to grow in the second half. They were missing Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart, who are listed as week-to-week after suffering a right oblique strain and a right ankle sprain, respectively, both acquired in Wednesday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets.
Philadelphia was without Joel Embiid and Paul George, neither of whom has played this season. After their quick first-quarter start, the 76ers struggled, giving up 28 points off 14 turnovers.
Highlights of the night include all five Grizzlies’ starters finishing the night in double-digits, rookie center Zach Edey’s first career double-double, and backup big man Jay Huff’s career-high 20 points.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led all scorers with 27 points, and added six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
Ja Morant finished the night with 18 points, six rebounds, and 12 assists on six of 13 overall shooting.
Jaylen Wells added 15 points and five rebounds on six of 11 overall shooting and two of four from three-point range.
Zach Edey put up 10 points and 10 rebounds in posting his first career double-double.
Santi Aldama also added 10 points, along with 13 rebounds and four assists.
From the second unit:
Jay Huff led the bench with his career-high 20 points on five-of-seven three-point shooting, with 12 points coming in the third quarter. He also posted five rebounds.
Scotty Pippen Jr. closed out the night with 12 points, four rebounds, and 13 assists. Both Huff and Pippen Jr. are showing how they earned an upgrade from two-way players to regular-season contracts.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies are now 4-3 on the year and head to Brooklyn to face off against the Nets Monday night for the second and final time this season. Tip-off is at 7 PM CDT.
Santi Aldama #7, Ja Morant #12, and Jaylen Wells #0 of the Memphis Grizzlies high-five during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 31, 2024. (Photo: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
With a 122–99 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday inside FedExForum, the Memphis Grizzlies completed their four-game homestand on a high note.
The Grizzlies showed a lot of grit and perseverance against Milwaukee after a lackluster showing against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
Ja Morant delivered an electrifying performance by unleashing his trademark WTF-inducing plays.
The Murray State standout reaffirmed his superstar status as he put on a masterclass against the Bucks with 26 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds. He messed around and got his 12 career triple-double and, like Ice Cube, I can hear him say, “Today was a good day.”
With his 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 9+ assists stats at halftime, Morant joined just five other players since the 1996–97 season. Over the course of the team’s back-to-back games, Morant racked up 40 points, 18 boards, and 25 assists. This season, Morant has played in five games and recorded four double-doubles.
“Just staying aggressive, playing free, being Ja [Morant],” stated the two-time All-Star on his playmaking as the Grizzlies improved to 3-3 on the season.
“Nah, I play free — with me, you’re going to deal with turnovers,” Morant said on taking care of the ball. “I tried to throw a lob off the glass — if Zach [Edey] catches it, it’s not a turnover. Even if it is, I don’t care. It’s the right play. Me and him do it in practice all the time. I’m just going to play free and always try to make the right play.”
He continued, “Me and him do it at practice and in 5-on-0. So yeah, I’m just going to play free. I’m always trying to make the right play. It’s not like I’m going down trying to turn the ball over. So, some of them, you just have to deal with. Obviously, you can clean some of them up, but hey, a lot of stuff comes with Ja.”
Regarding the team’s priorities in terms of player rotation and the significance of keeping him or Jaren Jackson Jr. on the court throughout the game, Morant explained, “I feel like those guys look up to us, and we’re pretty much the engine to the team.
“So, seeing one of us out there on the floor is a good thing, but I don’t think they lack confidence if we’re not. Obviously, we want to instill confidence no matter what and play the same way no matter who’s out there on the floor. Tonight, we had that — one of us on the floor, and I guess it worked.”
Yes, it did work! For Morant, statistics, honors, and recognition mean nothing until they lead to wins for his team.
Key Takeaways:
Dominant Rebounding: Memphis outrebounded Milwaukee 56-38, with a 49-29 defensive glass advantage.
Decisive Run: 19-1 run in the first quarter, including 14 straight points.
Series Dominance: Memphis wins sixth straight against Bucks, averaging 20.8-point margin.
Historic Streak: Longest winning streak in head-to-head series for Memphis.
Defensive Milestone: Memphis holds opponent under 100 points for first time this season.
Balanced Offense: All five Memphis starters score in double figures, combining for 84 points.
First Career Start: Rookie Jaylen Wells finished with 16 points and grabbed seven boards in his. Plus played dogged defense on Damian Lillard.
Up Next:
Kicking off a two-game road trip, the Memphis Grizzlies will face the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, November 2nd, at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams (1) shoots the ball as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13), John Konchar (46) and Ja Morant (12) attempt to block the shot during the first half at FedExForum on October 30, 2024 (Wes Hale Photo)
The Memphis Grizzlies dropped to 2-3 on the season, falling 119-106 at home to the Brooklyn Nets. Injury woes continued, as starters Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane exited the game with ankle issues.
Despite favorable expectations, Memphis underperformed, hindered by careless ball handling which led to 22 turnovers that Brooklyn capitalized on for 31 points.
The Grizzlies’ quest for a faster tempo remains elusive, marred by sloppy execution and costly mistakes.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins expressed disappointment in the Grizzlies’ defensive performance, and praised the Nets offense. He admitted his team failed to execute their planned strategy and took responsibility for not adequately preparing them.
“We just have to fill our cup,” Jenkins said, on dealing with injuries. “Tomorrow, [we play] a great [Milwaukee] Bucks team, and they’re going to be hungry for a win. We’re hungry for a win. It’s going to be two teams battling.”
He continued, “We have to bring a better effort tomorrow, and whoever’s available to play has to go out there and compete even better than we’ve done the last two games. The guys are feeling it. They know it’s unacceptable.”
“We [the coaches] have to find a way to be included,” Jenkins concluded. “I have to lead better —I have to prepare them better. Our guys have to go out and play better, so it all comes down to responsibility. We’ll just take it day by day. I don’t know where we’re going to stand tomorrow, but once we get through, we know we’ve still got depth that can go out there and can be better [than] before.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. poured in a season-high 30 points, shooting 83% from the field (10-12) and perfect from three (3-3), with 7-10 from the free throw line, his 23rd career 30-point game.
Ja Morant posted 14 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists, securing his 64th career double-double and second of the season, despite shooting 5-16 from the field and 1-6 from three.
Zach Edey tied his career high and Brandon Clarke set a season high, each scoring 13 points. Edey went 6-9 from the field and 1-2 from the line, while Clarke shot a perfect 5-5 from the field and 3-3 from the free throw line.
No Time to Panic
Although disappointing, it’s only 5 games out of 82. As Jackson Jr. said last night, “Can’t panic. Soldiers don’t panic. Should never panic. Panic just makes it worse, makes anything worse. You just stay calm and work on what you have to do — work on your craft.”
Up Next
The Grizzlies’ four-game home stand comes to a close on Thursday, October 31, with a showdown against the Milwaukee Bucks at 7 PM CST.
Desmond Bane drives to the basket against the Chicago Bulls. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE for Getty Images,)
In their fourth game of the season, the Memphis Grizzlies suffered a disappointing 126-123 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
The game started similarly to their other loss this season, with the Grizzlies taking a double-digit lead in the first half only to squander it in the second. The third quarter continues to be kryptonite for this team. There is little to say about defensive intensity in the second half because it all but disappeared.
The Bulls shot the lights out from three-point range, going a scorching 25-of-53 from beyond the arc. Chicago’s 23 three-pointers were the most ever recorded against the Grizzlies.
Chicago forward Zach LaVine and guard Coby White combined to go 7-of-14 from long range in the second half. Eleven players took the court for the Bulls, and nine of them finished the game with at least one three-point make.
Memphi led by as many as 20 points and held Chicago to 54 points in the first half, and then were outscored 72-55 in the final two periods. Turnovers were again a thorn in their side, as the Grizzlies gave up 16 points off seven turnovers after halftime.
Desmond Bane scored a team-high 30 points, with 23 of those coming in the first two quarters, tying his career high for points in a half. Bane shot 11 of 19 overall and six of 10 from beyond the arc, and also had seven rebounds.
LIGHT IT UP 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥@DBane0625 with a cool 23, grizz +14 at the half
Ja Morant was sidelined for the game with thigh soreness, and the starting point guard’s playmaking was, well, sorely missed. There is no word yet on whether he will be available against the Nets on Wednesday.
Jaren Jackson Jr. played less than 25 minutes, presumably still on a minutes restriction after being sidelined in the preseason and the first two games with hamstring issues. Jackson finished the night with 19 points, six rebounds, and three blocks.
Marcus Smart only played 25 minutes and struggled with his worst offensive game since joining the Grizzlies, ending the night with just one point from a made free throw, and shooting 0-of-11 overall and 0-of-8 from three-point range from the field. Smart did contribute seven assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Santi Aldama closed out the night with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, with 10 of those rebounds coming in the first quarter. Yes, you read that right, Santi Aldama grabbed 10 rebounds in the first quarter, making him just one of six in Grizzlies franchise history to do so.
The second unit continues to shine for this Memphis team, with four of five bench players scoring double digits.
Jake LaRavia led the bench in scoring, adding 17 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. LaRavia shot 7-of-11 overall and 2-of-5 from the free-throw line.
Scotty Pippen Jr. added 14 points, four rebounds, and 10 assists, his second points-assists double-double of the season.
Jay Huff finished the night with 10 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Shortly before the game, it was announced that the Grizzlies were converting Huff’s two-way contract into a regular-season deal, with the first two years guaranteed.
Rookie Jaylen Wells had 11 points on 5-of-12 overall shooting, and six rebounds.
Who Got Next?
Memphis is opening the season with a brutal six games in nine days, with another set of back-to-back games coming up: They take on the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday and the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. Both games tip off at 7 PM CDT.
I wonder if Seth Henigan’s game-winning touchdown pass to Roc Carter last Saturday will be The Moment we remember from his stellar career at Memphis. It was, quite literally, a season-saving six points for the Tigers. A loss to Charlotte would have dropped the Tigers out of contention for the American Athletic Conference championship, to say nothing of that precious “Group of Five” slot in the newly expanded 12-team national playoff. When the 49ers took a 28-24 lead on a 75-yard, two-play drive with just 1:20 left in the game, a small, soggy crowd of Tiger fans had an especially gloomy feeling. But to their rescue came the senior quarterback and his band of veteran teammates, “an even-keeled group” as described by Tiger coach Ryan Silverfield the week before, following another late-comeback victory (over North Texas). The 24-yard game-winner to Taylor just so happened to also break Brady White’s career record for touchdown passes (Henigan has 91 and counting).
Henigan, of course, hopes to be remembered for a Moment yet to come. Ideally one during those playoffs, against a team these Tigers aren’t supposed to beat. As the young man from Denton, Texas, continues to rewrite the Memphis record book, the number to track is his career win total in blue and gray. He’s the first Tiger quarterback to count 30 of them. On the other hand, Henigan’s conference championships remain — for now — zero.
• After rain chased many fans home in the second half, fewer than 20,000 people saw Henigan’s game-winner last weekend. It’s the latest underwhelming crowd in what may become the best Tiger football season seen by the smallest number of human beings. We knew attendance figures would deflate this season, with capacity at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium reduced to 33,691 as the facility undergoes dramatic renovations (minus the west side of the stadium). I was actually concerned how fans would be able to squeeze into their seats for game days, memories of more than 50,000 people (watching that epic win over SMU in 2019) dancing in my head.
Alas, the top attendance figure this season is 25,849, the announced number for the opener against North Alabama on August 31st. The lowest attendance has been 23,246, for the second game against Troy. Perhaps we’ll see 30,000 when UAB comes to town for the Battle for the Bones on November 16th. If Memphis takes care of UTSA this Saturday, we’ll have an 8-1 football team hosting Rice on Friday, November 8th. Does the opponent — or day of the week — matter when the home team is 8-1? We’ll find out soon enough.
• How good has linebacker Chandler Martin been this season? His 11 tackles and two sacks against Charlotte were good enough to earn the junior his third Defensive Player of the Week award from the American Athletic Conference. Martin leads the AAC in both sacks (6) and tackles for loss (12), his most recent clinching the win over the 49ers with a safety. Martin will all but certainly become the first Memphis defensive player to earn first-team all-conference honors in consecutive seasons since Genard Avery (2016-17). The question is whether or not he’ll attract enough national attention for All-America consideration. If the Tigers can climb into the AP Top 25, Martin’s chances will grow. For now, appreciate every snap he’s on the field.
Ja Morant goes to the basket against the Houston Rockets on October 25, 2024.
(Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Houston Rockets bounced back from a 12-point deficit to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies, 128-108, at Toyota Center on Friday night. After trailing in the first half, the Rockets rallied in the second, sparked by a decisive 17-0 run midway through the third quarter. The surge propelled them to a dominating 39-18 third-quarter performance, turning the game around.
The Rockets outscored the Grizzlies 69-43 in the second half, capitalizing on significant rebounding and defensive advantages. Houston outrebounded Memphis 64-43, including 23-14 on the offensive glass. The Rockets also converted turnovers into points more effectively, scoring 29-13 in points off turnovers and 27-17 in second-chance points.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins pinpointed defense and rebounding as key areas of struggle for his team. “We couldn’t get a stop… they were shooting under 40% and we still couldn’t grab a rebound,” Jenkins said. The team’s inability to defend and rebound allowed Houston to apply relentless pressure, disrupting the Grizzlies’ offense.
Despite generating decent shot opportunities, Jenkins noted that his team relied too heavily on floaters and committed too many turnovers. He also credited the Rockets’ physicality, which exposed the Grizzlies’ rebounding vulnerability and prevented them from sustaining their strong first-half performance.
Ja Morant continues to do Ja Morant things this season, leading Memphis with 24 points, shooting 8-for-17 from the field. Desmond Bane added 17 points, while rookie Zach Edey and new signee Scotty Pippen Jr. each chipped in 13 points.
It’s worth noting that Edey had a bit of a rough start to his NBA career, fouling out in just 15 minutes in the season opener against the Utah Jazz, but still managed to snag five points and five rebounds.
After the game, Morant highlighted the importance of setting the tone early in games and at the start of the second half as the point guard. He acknowledged that his team’s offense became stagnant after he coasted up the court, leading to ineffective ball movement and allowing the defense to settle into position. Specifically, the two-time All-Star pointed out that relying on ball screens, although effective, wasn’t enough when the ball wasn’t moving and teammates were stationary.
To improve, Morant emphasized his need to dictate the pace and style of play from the outset, recognizing that his role as point guard allows him to control the tempo. By doing so, he aims to create a more fluid and dynamic offense that challenges defenses and leads to better scoring opportunities.
Simply put, Morant appears to be taking ownership of his team’s performance, acknowledging areas for personal growth and striving to elevate his game to drive success.
The Grizzlies’ next game is Saturday night against the Orlando Magic at 7:00 p.m. at FedExForum for the home opener. Jaren Jackson Jr. is likely to make his season debut, after being sidelined with a hamstring strain.
Ja Morant drives the ball past Jordan Clarkson. Credit: Rob Gray/AP Photo
The Memphis Grizzlies opened their season Wednesday night with a 126-124 win over the Utah Jazz. After last season’s 0-9 start it was nice to see the Grizzlies come out strong.
It was the regular season debut of new draftees Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells and marked the return of star point guard Ja Morant to the court after suffering a labral tear last season.
One thing is clear already: Ja Morant remains one of the most explosive players in the league. He finished the night with 22 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds while shooting 7 of 12 from the field and 8 of 9 from the free-throw line.
Edey put up 5 points and 5 rebounds in his debut but struggled to stay out of foul trouble, ultimately fouling out after playing just over 14 minutes.
Wells added 6 points off the bench, shooting 2 of 5 from three-point range. Both Edey and Wells struggled from the free throw line, with Edey shooting 1 of 5 and Wells 0 of 2.
After leading by as many as 17 points in the first half, the Grizzlies were outscored by the Jazz 74-65 in the second half. Both teams were foul-happy, with Memphis committing 35 fouls and Utah 24, resulting in 77 free throw attempts.
And while the Grizzlies did give up 13 points off of 13 turnovers, they were able to convert 17 Utah turnovers into 24 points.
Utah’s Lauri Markkanen led all scorers with 35 points and 9 rebounds.
Santi Aldama led the Grizzlies with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists while shooting 10 of 16 overall and a game-high 5 of 10 from beyond the arc.
Three of Aldama’s five made three-pointers came in the first quarter, but his flashiest points came via a one-handed dunk off a lob from Ja Morant.
Desmond Bane closed the night with 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists on 8 of 20 overall shooting and 4 of 10 from three-point range. Marcus Smart had 11 points and 5 rebounds on 3 of 11 shooting from the field.
Jay Huff led the Grizzlies’ bench unit with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks while shooting 4 of 6 overall, 3 of 5 from three-point range, and 2 of 2 from the free throw line.
The night’s biggest loser was not either team on the court, but the local broadcast partner FanDuel Sports Network, formerly Bally Sports. Fans in the Memphis area experienced horrible audio and video quality, making the first half unwatchable. Here’s hoping this isn’t an ongoing issue.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies are heading to Houston to face off against the Rockets on Friday night. Tip-off is at 7 PM CDT. They will open their home season on Saturday against the Orlando Magic.
Ja Morant (12) and Yuki Kawamura dance at the Memphis Grizzlies open practice on October 6th at FedExForum. (Photos: Wes Hale)
Injuries and frustrations plagued the Memphis Grizzlies for most of the 2023–2024 season, beginning with standout point guard Ja Morant’s 25-game ban. Even after making a triumphant return, Morant was sidelined with a season-ending shoulder surgery that limited him to playing just nine games.
Coming off two seasons when they were near the top of the Western Conference, this young club was humbled and finished near the bottom of the standings.
By the time the regular season ended, Memphis had most of its roster on the injured list. They took on a record number of 10-day contracts to have the minimally allowed number of available players and relied heavily on the players on two-way contracts. No team in NBA history has employed more players and starting lineups than the Grizzlies last season.
The departure of Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets and the minimal playing time that backup Brandon Clarke had in the previous season after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery left the Grizzlies in dire need of a competent big man heading into the offseason.
With the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, the Grizzlies acquired 7’4” Purdue center Zach Edey, who addressed a gap in the team’s roster. The remainder of the league is in for some terrifying hours if Edey’s preseason dominance continues into the regular season and beyond.
Along with Edey, the Grizzlies selected small forward Jaylen Wells with the 39th pick in the draft. As the lone Grizzlies player to reach double digits in five preseason games, Wells was a shining example of the team’s potential on both ends of the floor.
After Derrick Rose asked to be waived and subsequently retired from the league, another roster spot became available. As a result, Scotty Pippen Jr.’s two-way contract was converted to a standard multi-year deal while Yuki Kawamura went from having an Exhibit 10 contract to having a two-way offer.
Scotty Pippen Jr. shoots the ball during warm-ups before the preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum on October 10th.
New Beginnings
Will both atonement and vengeance drive the Grizzlies’ efforts this year?
The Grizzlies will be considered underdogs to begin the season due to recency bias in the national media’s expected rankings. That being said, it’s for the best because that’s where this squad excels.
“We know who we are; we know what we’re capable of. It’s just about going out there and doing it now,” Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane said during media day.
The previous two seasons prove that Memphis can inflict havoc at the top of the Western Conference when healthy, so fans should see last season’s dismal record as more of an outlier than anything else. They have the ability to get back on track in the standings. It may not be returning to the second seed, but it definitely will be an improvement over the previous position in last year’s campaign.
With former Defensive Players of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart plus defensive menace Vince Williams Jr., this organization has a strong defensive foundation. Memphis was 12th in the NBA in defensive rating last season, despite their entire season being a train wreck.
Solid role players, including three-point shooters and young, adaptable talent, complement the club’s depth that is already strong thanks to Bane, Jackson Jr., and its spark Morant.
Forward GG Jackson II, who made a meteoric rise to prominence last season at the tender age of 19, is someone the Grizzlies are keeping their fingers crossed for. He was the game-changer in a doomed season and earned himself a standard contract. With 6’9”, highly athletic Jackson II on the court, it provides the team dynamic options, particularly in half-court sets. Last season, fans didn’t get to witness Jackson II and Morant develop a connection on the court.
Since Jackson II is still healing from foot surgery, we should expect to see him start the season sometime in December, so we will need to exercise patience till we witness his and Morant’s synergy.
The Grizzlies need to get back to their brand of basketball. When Memphis was the Western Conference runner-up in 2021–22 and 2022–23, they averaged more points in the paint than any other team in the league. They had the worst point differential and placed 13th in the Western Conference a season ago.
The squad now is looking to boast a more dynamic offensive game thanks to Taylor Jenkins and his reorganized coaching staff. Last year, Memphis’ offensive rating was the worst in the league.
Edey and Morant’s pick-and-rolls will feed families this season. Edey’s fit into the starting center position will allow Jackson Jr. to play at the four, where he excels.
Making a deep run in the playoffs is within reach if Memphis can avoid significant injuries this upcoming season.
12 Is Back
Given that the NBA is known as a “what have you done for me lately” league, some may have forgotten about Morant’s presence on the court.
“A happy Ja is a scary Ja,” according to Morant, who made the bold proclamation during last month’s media day.
Morant showed flashes of his dominance in the last preseason game this past Friday. In 25 minutes of play, Morant ended with 17 points and six assists in the preseason finale. He called his performance light and implied a secret weapon will be seen in the season opener in Utah.
The South Carolina native was thrilled to return to FedExForum after injury, citing fans as his driving force and motivation to perform. It was his first time playing before the home crowd since January 3, 2024.
In 2022–23, his last complete season (61 games), he played 31.9 minutes per game and averaged 26.2 points, 8.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals.
He understands that his availability is crucial to the Grizzlies’ success, so he’s been making an effort to avoid injuries and off-the-court issues like those that nearly derailed his career.
The two-time All-Star is still one of the league’s most exciting players, and he will make sure the league remembers who he is.
Memphis Grizzlies against the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum on October 10, 2024.(Photo: Wes Hale)
The Memphis Grizzlies are back in action, but their preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets didn’t quite go as planned, with a 119-94 loss. Missing key players like Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke, Vince Williams Jr., and GG Jackson II made it tough to gauge the team’s performance.
As I was sitting in the FedExForum talking to another reporter, I said the game looked eerily similar to the previous regular season games which included key rotation players missing from action.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins acknowledged the challenges, saying the team lacked pace and key ingredients, but he’s optimistic about the progress.
He said, “I definitely think sometimes we’re missing some key ingredients, for sure, which makes it a little bit tougher. … We didn’t have our pop for sure. We weren’t playing at the pace that we needed to [and] guys that have been training hard just kind of fell flat today. You could see that early in the first quarter. We weren’t getting in the paint as much as we could. Obviously, we were taking the ball out of the net.”
Jenkins continued, “I told these guys on nights like this where we don’t have our pace, we can still control the defensive activity. We turned it up in the third quarter, but obviously the Hornets had a heck of a night. But I’m liking what I’m seeing from all these guys. The movement’s been there. We’ve got to initiate some advantages a little bit differently. That’s stuff that we’ll just continue to add. But stressing the movement, the pace, we just fell a little bit flat.”
Rookies Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells are getting valuable NBA minutes, which will aid their development.
The good news is that Morant, Jackson Jr., and Clarke are expected back for the season opener, while Williams and Jackson II will take a bit longer to recover.
Overall Memphis is focusing on player development and preseason preparation despite injuries. Again, it’s preseason, so no need to panic. The Grizzlies will regroup and refocus for their next game.
Up next: Grizzlies face the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, 7 p.m. tipoff.
