Ja Morant dribbles down the court in the games as the Memphis took on the New Orleans Pelicans on December 26, 2023 at Smoothie King Center (Photo by Derick Hingle/NBAE via Getty Images)
Superstar point guard Ja Morant will have season-ending surgery, according to a Memphis Grizzlies’ announcement on Monday night.
“At Saturday’s training session, Morant suffered a subluxation of his right shoulder. Following ongoing soreness and instability, Morant underwent an MRI that revealed an underlying labral tear,” the team release stated.
The 24-year-old will undergo surgery and is expected to make a full recovery in time for the 2024-25 season. It’s yet another tough blow for the Grizzlies as the organization has been plagued with injuries this season.
Morant appeared in only nine games this season after serving a 25-game league suspension. He made his season debut on December 19th, 2023, against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Memphis went 6-3 in the games Morant played. He averaged 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game.
The star guard wore a sling as he sat on the bench during Memphis’ win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
After the announcement was made, Morant sent a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Without their superstar, the Grizzlies are 7-20 on the season with 46 more games left to go. The Grizzlies may look to add pieces at the trade deadline next month.
The Play-In Tournament was already a longshot with Morant at the helm. Only time will tell how the rest of the regular season plays out out with a healthy Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart.
Desmond Bane takes the ball to the basket against Anthony Davis. Credit: NBAE/Getty Images
With a final score of 127-113, the Grizzlies handed the Lakers their fourth consecutive loss. But more than that, they did it under the power of historic three-point shooting with a franchise record 23 made threes on the road, also the most three-pointers allowed by the Lakers this season.
It was a wild Friday night in the National Basketball Association. Those of us who stayed up late to watch the Grizzlies take on the Lakers in Los Angeles were rewarded with some of the best basketball Memphis has played this season.
Not even a 32-point performance from LeBron James and a 31-point one from Anthony Davis could stop the Grizzlies.
There was something for everyone in this win, including big performances from Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, and Ziaire Williams.
And an All-NBA-worthy defensive move from head coach Taylor Jenkins that rightfully earned him a technical foul, because coaches cannot enter the court during gameplay.
Let’s break that moment down and what led up to it.
Marcus Smart directed a pass to Jaren Jackson Jr., who briefly had possession of the ball but could not keep a hold of it. That led to a tie-up with LeBron James during which James elbowed Jackson in the chin (seemingly unseen by the referees) followed by an irate Taylor Jenkins stepping onto the court and in the path of Taurean Prince, protesting the lack of a call. Jenkins had to be physically restrained by one of his assistant coaches.
To keep it a buck, three fouls could have been called in that exchange: James committing a loose ball foul when forcing Jackson to the ground, Jackson committing a common foul when hooking James’ arm, and a flagrant 1 for James elbowing Jackson in the face in retaliation.
But since there was no review of the play, the only foul assessed for the whole mess was the technical Jenkins earned.
The messiness of that whole situation should not detract from the Grizzlies’ play and the exceptional shooting that propelled them to a resounding victory over the Lakers.
The Grizzlies’ 23 threes vs the Lakers set a franchise record for most made threes in a road game.
It also tied the Lakers’ record for most threes conceded in a home game
Marcus Smart x8 Jaren Jackson Jr. x5 Desmond Bane x5 Ja Morant x3 Ziaire Williams x2
Heading into last night’s game, Marcus Smart had the lowest three-point shooting percentage of any player attempting five or more threes a game this season.
Marcus Smart is really struggling from deep…
Lowest 3P% (26.3%) of any player attempting at least 5 3s per game this season pic.twitter.com/o05v2NeIy8
Marcus Smart finished the night with a season-high 29 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and one steal on 8 of 14 three-point shooting. Smart put up 19 of his 29 points in the first half while shooting 5 of 8 from three-point range.
His teammates had a pretty good night as well.
Jaren Jackson Jr put up a team-high 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks, including 5 of 6 from beyond the arc.
Desmond Bane closed out with 24 points, 5 rebounds, and a career-high 13 assists, also while shooting 5 of 8 from long range.
Ja Morant added 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Bismack Biyombo finished with 6 points and 10 rebounds on a perfect 3 of 3 field goal shooting.
From the second unit, Ziaire Williams added 15 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal.
All in all, it was a soothing balm to ease the sting of a nasty loss to the Toronto Raptors two days prior.
Whether this success can be replicated remains to be seen.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies will continue their three-game road trip, heading to Phoenix on Sunday to face off against the Suns. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
Ja Morant goes up for a layup against the Toronto Raptors inside FedExForum on December 3, 2023 (Photo credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Historically, when an NBA club has played at FedExForum in Memphis, they knew they were in for a fierce battle. That’s no longer the case. Last season, the Grizzlies dominated on the home floor, this season they have struggled mightily.
The squad dropped to 3-13 at home after a fourth quarter rally fell short against the Toronto Raptors, 116-111. Memphis just can’t seem to put together a complete game for 48 minutes.
The second quarter is the biggest culprit. According to NBA.com, Memphis ranks dead last (30th) in the league in scoring during the second period, with 24.7 points, while shooting 41.3 percent from the field.
Something has to change with the rotations in the second period if Memphis wants to start winning consistently after falling to 11-23 on the season.
After the game, Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins took responsibility for the loss. “I’ve got to get this team better prepared,” Jenkins acknowledged. “We were flat tonight — that’s on me.”
Did that really come out of his mouth about getting the team better prepared after a whopping 34 games. In the words of WWE legend Booker T, “Tell me, he didn’t just say that!”
Former Grizzlies assistant and first-year head coach of the Raptors, Darko Rajakovic, certainly had his team prepared to take down his former team.
That’s an indictment of Jenkins’ coaching, if he doesn’t have the team better prepared after nearly half of the season is gone. There have been key injuries, and a 25-game suspension, but that’s the card that has been dealt. Some of the losses have been on Jenkins, even though his players wholeheartedly disagree with that sentiment.
“At the end of the day, he’s not the one out there playing — it’s us,” said Ziaire Williams. We should already be self-motivated, he shouldn’t have to yell at us or scream at us when we’re down by 15 or 10, or playing lazy and lackadaisical on the defensive end, not sharing the ball. That should already be a given.”
He concluded, “We got to find ways to do that for 48 minutes straight. That was cool for coach taking the blame, but, it’s not much he could do about that. It’s on us to come out and do what we need to do. Be professionals, do what we are paid to do.”
Williams had a great game off the bench, with 18 points, putting up 12 in the final period by converting on 5-of-8 from the field.
Desmond Bane who finished with 22 points, eight assists, and four rebounds put the onus on the players to take responsibility and accountability. He said, “As a coach you can only do so much. You don’t put a jersey on, you don’t run up and down the court. It has nothing to do with him honestly. We are all grown men. It’s on us, we have to be better.”
Ja Morant led the team with a near triple double with 28 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Morant on the team coming out flat: “I don’t want to make excuses. You just got to be better, come out with more energy to be able to get a win on a home floor.”
Jaren Jackson, Jr. had a slow start but ended with 13 of his 24 points in the final period. Jackson Jr. also grabbed four rebounds and blocked four shots.
With the loss, Memphis is now 7-1 when Bane, Jackson Jr., and Morant all score 20 plus points.
Where does Memphis go from here
The blame lies with the players, the coach’s decision-making, and the front office for the roster construction at this point in the season.
The time for excuses is over. There has to be energy and effort from the players in all facets of the game. Jenkins has to make better coaching decisions, and the front office needs to make moves at the deadline in order to right the ship.
Things don’t get easier. The Grizzlies head to California to start a three-game game road trip beginning Friday, January 5, against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena at 9 p.m. CT.
Ja Morant takes the ball to the basket against Domantas Sabonis. Credit: NBAE/Getty Images.
Defensive struggles continue as the third Grizzlies opponent in as many games shot 50 percent or better overall. With a final score of 123-92, the Sacramento Kings thumped the Grizzlies at FedExForum in the last game of the year. The return of Luke Kennard and his shooting 5 of 8 from three-point range could not put the Grizzlies over the hump.
Let’s get into it.
Woof. That is the first word that comes to mind to describe how the Kings outworked Memphis on both ends of the floor. Sacramento put up a season-high 59 rebounds to the Grizzlies 34. In no universe was it acceptable for the Grizzlies to only have one offensive rebound in the entire game, but the fact that the Kings could grab 25 more rebounds than Memphis adds insult to injury. The Grizzlies also recorded just one block for the game.
Combine that with beating the Grizzlies in made threes (16 to 12), made field goals (47 to 30), and points in the paint (58 to 32), and Sacramento handed them one of their worst losses of the season.
The Kings’ bench unit outscored the Grizzlies’ bench 58 to 28, with Malik Monk scoring a game-high 27 points in 21 minutes on 4 of 5 three-point shooting and 10 of 13 overall. One player nearly outscoring the entire second unit is nasty and overshadows the return of Luke Kennard in his first game since November 17.
When head coach Taylor Jenkins was asked postgame about the defense allowing opponents to shoot 50 percent in the past three games, he had this to say:
“We’ve got to look at the trends that we’ve seen all season long. Obviously small sample size, looking more at the last two games, it’s definitely things we’ve been talking about, pick-and-roll coverages, what we can do a little bit better there, our shifting obviously, teams are really hurting us in the high quad, how we can clean that up. That’s something that we got to talk about, some of the second chance kick outs as well, pickup points, discipline there. It’s definitely something that we’re seeing a lot and obviously we’ve regressed the last couple of games.”
Emphasis mine. Yes, thank you, Captain Obvious.
It was a low-scoring night for Memphis, being held under 100 points, and their usual big three struggled offensively.
Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with a team-high 18 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal.
Three players finished with 17 points: Ja Morant had 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists; Desmond Bane closed out with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists; and Luke Kennard put up 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists on 6 of 9 overall shooting and 5 of 8 from beyond the arc.
The only other Grizzlies player to end the night in double figures was Marcus Smart with 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies will play at home again Tuesday night, January 2nd, facing off against one of the few teams with a worse record in the West, the San Antonio Spurs. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
Happy New Year, Grizz Nation. I hope everyone is eating their black-eyed peas and greens because we need all the luck we can get.
Marcus Smart goes up for a rebound against the LA Clippers on December 29, 2023 (Photo credit: Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
For the Memphis Grizzlies, winning this season hasn’t come easily. The team’s decline can be attributed to a wide range of circumstances.
Following Ja Morant’s 25-game absence, Memphis went 4-0. However, with their 117-106 home loss to the Clippers, they dropped two consecutive games.
The Grizzlies are now 10-21 on the season with 51 games left to play. Can the Beale Street Bullies save the season? That question lies within the team.
Injuries to key players has been one factor that caused the team’s fall from grace. Luke Kennard and Derrick Rose are scheduled to be back in the next few games or so. Maybe it will be a difference maker.
After the Clippers game, Marcus Smart said the approach moving forward is “one game at a time.”
He went on to say, “Control what you can control. You [are] looking ahead, that’s not going to do anything for you. We don’t have that luxury. We got to look at it like one day at a time and we got to be in the present and that’s the only way we’re going to fix it. At least give ourselves a chance anyway. It’s not going to be perfect but that’s the beauty of this game. Crazy things happen.”
Smart finished the game with 22 points, three steals, and two assists.
Right now, that’s the one thing the squad has to depend on. Get at it game by game.
“We’ve been doing that for a long time — building that everyday,” said Jaren Jackson Jr. on the team’s leadership and confidence. “We’ve been playing with each other for a long time. It takes everybody to lead. Everybody has a different role. We are learning more and more every game.”
Jackson Jr. ended with 22 points, four assists, two steals and two blocks.
With Morant healthy there will always be a chance for the team to win games.
“Yeah, I mean it’s a different ball game. when I’m out there,” said Morant after the game. “Teams gotta scout different and have defensive schemes when I’m on the floor which allow a lot of pressure to get off the rest of the guys on the team — allow them to be themselves.
“A little more comfort in my job as I go out there and make it easier for them. Find them easier looks, that’s just my role on this team.”
Morant sat out the night earlier against the Nuggets due to an illness and was still not feeling his best against the Clippers. But he still found ways to contribute, recording his second double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 assists in 37 minutes of play.
Up Next
The Grizzlies will embark on a three-game homestand beginning Sunday, December 31, against the Sacramento Kings at 7 p.m. CT. Memphis looks to improve on its 2-11 record inside of FedExForum.
Ja Morant dribbles down the court in the games as the Memphis took on the New Orleans Pelicans on December 26, 2023 at Smoothie King Center (Photo by Derick Hingle/NBAE via Getty Images)
With the ball in Ja Morant’s hands and seconds remaining for the game-winning basket after trailing by double digits, the Memphis Grizzlies faced the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, December 26, making it like a familiar situation from only seven days before.
Only this time, it took several reviews and overtime for the Grizzlies to walk out of New Orleans with a 116-115 win that stunned Pelicans fans again.
With the return of its superstar, Memphis has won four games in a row, including a pair of victories against the Pelicans. This season, the Grizzlies lead the matchup against New Orleans, 2-1.
Morant finished with a game-high 31 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Prior to the game, the NBA named the 24-year-old the Western Conference Player of the Week, who guided the Grizzlies to a 3-0 record averaging 28 points, 9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds.
“Obviously excited to be back,” Morant said after the game. “But being able to come back and win four games now and continue to take this momentum to the next game, and the next day, is big time for us.”
Desmond Bane continues to make his case for being selected to his first NBA All-Star appearance. Bane made his presence felt early for the Grizzlies with 17 first half points. He finished with 27 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.
Jaren Jackson Jr. recorded his second double-double of the year with 19 points and 10 boards. And he made NBA history in the process.
Marcus Smart returned to the Grizzlies lineup after missing the past 17 games due to a left foot sprain. Smart was a big reason Memphis erased a 15-point second deficit to secure the victory.
The tandem of Xavier Tillman Sr. and Vince Williams Jr. was a wrecking crew against New Orleans. The pair combined for 16 rebounds and eight blocked shots. Tillman Sr. had a career-high five blocks while Williams Jr. tied his career high with three blocks.
Up Next
Memphis heads to Denver to take on the Nuggets, Dec 28, at 8 p.m. inside Ball Arena.
New year 2024 concept, beginning of success. Text 2024 written on asphalt road and male runner preparing for the new year. Concept of challenge or career path and change.
What do you mean it’s almost January? If you’re anything like us, the encroaching new year has really seemed to have come out of left field. The churning news cycle means that we’ve had our heads down covering the arts, a mayoral race, the Tennessee legislature, and everything in between. But despite a packed 2023, there are plenty more stories on the horizon. With 2024 just around the corner, our writers take a look at what we can expect in Memphis news next year.
Breaking News
Paul Young
Paul Young taking the mayor’s seat will be the Memphis news story to watch in 2024.
Memphis hasn’t had a new mayor for eight years; hasn’t done things differently for eight years — for good or bad. So, Memphians can expect new ideas, fresh faces, and new approaches to the city’s same-old problems (but maybe some new opportunities, too).
Paul Young (Photo: Paul Young for Memphis)
Some could argue too much emphasis is put on the mayor’s office, much like the president’s office. But that office is where the city’s business is done daily, from police and fire to trash collection and paving. Yes, these ideas are later shaped by the Memphis City Council and, yes, the mayor is expected to carry out rules formed entirely by the council. But all of that is executed (executive branch, get it?) by the mayor and his team.
Young has already named a few key staffers. Tannera Gibson will be his city attorney and Penelope Huston will be head of communications, according to The Daily Memphian. Young told the Memphian, too, that he’ll keep the controversial Cerelyn Davis as chief of the Memphis Police Department.
Memphis in May
This next year could be make or break for the Memphis in May International Festival (MIM).
It ended 2023 with a whimper. The nonprofit organization posted a record loss of $3.4 million and record-low attendance for Beale Street Music Festival. Also, its longtime leader Jim Holt announced his retirement.
MIM leaders put Music Fest on hiatus for 2024. It also moved the Championship Barbecue Cooking Competition to Liberty Park.
Meanwhile Forward Momentum and the Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP) announced a new three-day music festival at Tom Lee Park (called River Beat) and a new barbecue contest, both in May.
It’s unknown if these new events could supplant MIM. Speculation, though, has the future of the nonprofit in question. It’ll be worth watching.
Tennessee General Assembly
State lawmakers are hard to predict.
Last year, for example, one GOP member spent countless hours persuading his colleagues to add firing squads to the list of options for the state’s death row inmates. Another wanted to add “hanging by a tree” to that list.
However, one can easily predict Republicans will seek to make life harder for the LGBTQ community. One bill paused last year, for example, would allow county clerks to deny marriage rites to anyone they choose (wink, wink).
The little-known but hard-working Tennessee Medical Marijuana Commission may approach lawmakers next year with a plan to get a state system off the ground. Dead medical cannabis bills have become too many to count over the years. But the hope is that the group’s expertise after years of study may help tip the scales.
Easy bets are also on bills that mention “abortion” or “trans.” — Toby Sells
Politics
Oddly enough, the city’s incoming chief executive, Paul Young, remains something of an unknown despite his extensive exposure (and his consistently adept campaigning) during the long and trying mayoral race that concluded in October. Nor will the aggressive ballyhoo of his preliminary activities — parade, concert, and inaugural ball, no less! — have shed much light on his intentions in office, though his inaugural address will be highly anticipated in that regard.
Major changes may be in the offing, though so far the shape of them is not obvious. Young’s announced reappointment of police director C.J. Davis at year’s end may be an indication that, in the personnel sense, anyhow, there may well be a continuum of sorts with the administration of outgoing Mayor Strickland.
C.J. Davis (Photo: Memphis Police Department)
The newly elected council, meanwhile, is expected to be measurably more progressive-minded on various issues as a result of the election than was its predecessor.
A city task force already launched — GVIP (Group Violence Intervention Program), which involves an active interchange of sorts between governmental players and gang members (“intervenors,” as they are designated) in an effort to curb violence on the streets. It will be picking up steam as the year begins.
And follow-up readings will still be required in 2024 on an initiative sponsored by outgoing Councilman Martavius Jones and passed by the council conferring lifelong healthcare benefits on council members elected since 2015, upon their having completed two terms.
(News of that move prompted an astounded Facebook post from former Councilman Shea Flinn, who served back when first responders’ benefits had to be cut and a controversial pension for city employees with 12 years’ or more service was rescinded. Said Flinn: “Do I have this correct? Because I don’t want to be gassing up a flamethrower for nothing!”)
The Shelby County Commission, having worked in tandem with Mayor Lee Harris in the past year to secure serious funding for a new Regional One Health hospital, continues to be ambitious, hoping to acquire subpoena power from the state for the county’s recently created Civilian Law Enforcement Review Committee and to proceed with the construction of a long-contemplated Mental Health, Safety, and Justice Center.
The commission is also seeking guidance from the DA’s office on the long-festering matter of removing County Clerk Wanda Halbert from office.
At the state level, almost all attention during the early legislative session will be fixed on Republican Governor Bill Lee’s decision to push for statewide application of the school-voucher program that barely squeaked through the General Assembly in 2019 as a “pilot” program for Shelby and Davidson counties. (Hamilton County was later added.) The program was finally allowed by the state Supreme Court after being nixed at lower levels on constitutional grounds. Democrats are universally opposed to its expansion, as, for the record, are the school boards in Shelby County’s seven school districts. Prospects for passage may depend on how many GOP legislators (a seriously divided group in 2019) are inclined this time to let the governor have his way.
Also on tap will be a series of bills aimed at stiffening crime/control procedures, some of which may also try to roll back recent changes in Shelby County’s bail/bond practices.
Oh, and there will be both a presidential primary vote and an election for General Sessions Court clerk in March. — Jackson Baker
Music
No sooner does yuletide appear than it’s gone again in a wink, as we turn to face a new notch on life’s yardstick. Yet even before 2024 dawns, Memphis has great music brewing on this year’s penultimate day, December 30th, from the solo seasoned jug band repertoire of David Evans (Lamplighter Lounge) to the revved-up R&B-surf-crime jazz-rock of Impala (Bar DKDC) to Louder Than Bombs’ take on The Smiths (B-Side).
Ironically, DJ Devin Steele’s Kickback show at the Hi-Tone is keeping live music on the menu with a six-piece band alongside the wheels of Steele. Down on Beale Street, bass giant Leroy “Flic” Hodges and band will be at B.B. King’s, and the Blues City Café will feature solid blues from Earl “The Pearl” Banks and Blind Mississippi Morris.
Susan Marshall (Photo: Jamie Harmon)
While New Year’s Eve seems particularly DJ-heavy this December 31st, there are still some places to ring in the new year with a live band. Perhaps the most remarkable will be when three of the city’s most moving women in music — Susan Marshall, Cyrena Wages, and Marcella Simien ringing in midnight — converge at the freshly re-energized Mollie Fontaine Lounge. A more up-close, swinging time will be found at the Beauty Shop’s meal extravaganza set to the music of Joyce Cobb. Orion Hill’s Mardi Gras Masquerade will feature Cooper Union (with Brennan Villines and Alexis Grace), and Blind Mississippi Morris will hold court again at Blues City as a gigantic disco ball rises up a 50-foot tower outside on Beale. For that Midtown live vibe, Lafayette’s Music Room’s elaborate festivities will feature the band Aquanet.
For many Memphians, the new year will begin with a look backward as a smorgasbord of bands — from Nancy Apple to Michael Graber to Oakwalker and beyond — gather at B-Side to honor the late Townes van Zandt on January 1st. The revival of the 1970 musical Company, opening at the Orpheum the next day, also honors an earlier era’s muse, but its five Tony Awards suggest that even today it “strikes like a lightning bolt” (Variety). And the historical appreciations continue: On January 14th, Crosstown Arts’ MLK Freedom Celebration will feature the Mahogany Chamber Music Series, curated by Dr. Artina McCain and spotlighting Black and other underrepresented composers and performers; and on January 20th GPAC will host jazz trumpeter, vocalist, and composer Jumaane Smith’s Louis! Louis! Louis!, blending his own compositions with those of Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, and Louis Jordan — three giants of the last century.
Who knows, maybe reflecting on all this past greatness will teach 2024 a thing or two? — Alex Greene
Coming Attractions in 2024
2023’s dual WGA and SAG strikes disrupted production, so 2024 should be an unpredictable year at the multiplex. Studios are currently engaged in a high-stakes game of chicken with the release calendar, so don’t take any of these dates as gospel. In January, an all-star apostle team led by LaKeith Stanfield and David Oyelowo tries to horn in on the messiah game in The Book of Clarence.
February has the endlessly promoted spy caper Argylle, a Charlie Kaufman-penned animated film Orion and the Dark, the intriguing-looking Lisa Frankenstein, and Bob Marley: One Love left over from 2023, as well as Ethan Coen’s lesbian road comedy Drive-Away Dolls.
March is stacked with Denis Villeneuve’s return to Arrakis, Dune: Part Two; Jack Black voicing Kung Fu Panda 4; Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire; and Focus Features’ satire The American Society of Magical Negroes.
Monsters will collide in Godzilla x Kong.
April starts with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Alex Garland’s social sci-fi epic Civil War.
May features Ryan Gosling as The Fall Guy and Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse in Back to Black. On April 24th, we have a three-flick pile-up with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, The Garfield Movie (animated, thank God), and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. ALL HAIL IMPERATOR FURIOSA!
Anya Taylor-Joy in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
June brings us Inside Out 2, which adds Maya Hawke as Anxiety to the Pixar classic’s cast of emotions. There’s another Bad Boys film on the schedule that nobody has bothered to title yet. Meanwhile, Kevin Costner goes too hard with punctuation with Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter One. (Chapter Two drops in August.)
In July, there’s the horror of Despicable Me 4 and Twisters, a sequel to the ’90s tornado thriller that lacked the guts to call itself Twister$. Ryan Reynolds returns as the Merc with a Mouth in Deadpool 3, the first Marvel offering of the year.
In August, Eli Roth adapts the hit game Borderlands, which, if you think about it, could actually work. James McAvoy stars in the Blumhouse screamer Speak No Evil. Don’t Breathe director Fede Álvarez directs Priscilla’s Cailee Spaeny in Alien: Romulus.
September is looking spare, but Tim Burton, Michael Keaton, and Winona Ryder are getting the band back together for Beetlejuice 2, so that could be fun.
October looks a tad more promising with Joker: Folie à Deux, a psychosexual (emphasis on the “psycho”) thriller with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. There’s also the cheerful Smile 2, evil clown porn Terrifier 3, and a Blumhouse production of Wolf Man.
November sees a remake of The Amateur, Barry Levinson’s mob thriller Alto Knights, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 with Denzel Washington, and Wicked: Part One, led by Tony Award-winner Cynthia Erivo.
Then, the year goes out strong with Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim, an anime Tolkien adaptation from Kenji Kamiyama.
This time next year, we’ll be gushing over Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa: The Lion King, Robert Eggers’ boundary-pushing Nosferatu remake, and an ultra-secret Jordan Peele joint. — Chris McCoy
Memphis Sports
Here’s a one-item wish list for Memphis sports in 2024: Ja Morant videos that are exclusively basketball highlights. The city’s preeminent athlete stole headlines this year with off-the-court drama that ultimately cost him the first 25 games of the Grizzlies’ 2023-24 season. Morant’s absence was more than the roster could take, particularly with center Steven Adams sidelined for the season with a knee injury. More than 10 games under .500 in mid-December, the Grizzlies must hope the star’s return can simply get them back to break-even basketball. If that happens — and with the rim-rattling displays that have made Ja a superstar — the new year will have brought new life to the Bluff City’s flagship sports franchise.
And how about a first regular-season American Athletic Conference championship for Penny Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers? The AAC is a watered-down version of the league we knew a year ago (no more Houston, no more Cincinnati), with Florida Atlantic now the Tigers’ primary obstacle for a league crown. A controversial loss to FAU in the opening round of the NCAA tournament last March created an instant rivalry, one that will take the floor at FedExForum on February 25th. David Jones is an early candidate for AAC Player of the Year and sidekick Jahvon Quinerly gives Hardaway the best collection of new-blood talent since “transfer portal” became a thing.
Seth Henigan (Photo: Wes Hale)
With Seth Henigan returning to quarterback the Tigers for a fourth season, Memphis football should also compete for an AAC title and an 11th consecutive bowl campaign. AutoZone Park will hum with Redbirds baseball and 901 FC soccer throughout the warm-weather months, and the PGA Tour will make Memphis home when the FedEx St. Jude Championship tees off on August 15th.
But let’s hope 2024, somehow, becomes the Year of Ja in this town. The heart of Memphis sports echoes the sound of a basketball dribble. And one player speeds that heartbeat like no other. — Frank Murtaugh
Oscar Jimenez will suit up for 901 FC next season. (Photo: Courtesy USL/Louisville City FC)
Meanwhile, 901 FC can look forward to welcoming some unfamiliar opponents to the confines of AutoZone Park next season. A restructured United Soccer League means Memphis will bid adieu to the Eastern Conference and kick off its 2024 season as part of the Western Conference. That means that 22 of 901 FC’s 34-match schedule will be against Western Conference opponents, starting with a March 9th home season opener against Las Vegas Lights FC. There’s a new COO in Jay Mims, while we can expect plenty of new players to suit up before Stephen Glass leads the team out for its first game.
One thing that soccer fans will not be looking forward to, however, is a new stadium, with plans for a soccer-specific Liberty Park arena scuppered after $350 million in state dollars earmarked for sporting renovations did not include any provisions for 901 FC. — Samuel X. Cicci
Ja Morant drives the ball defended by Trae Young. Credit: NBAE/Getty Images
With a final score of 125-119, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Atlanta Hawks and pushed their winning streak to three games, their longest such streak this season.
Let’s get into it.
Once again, the Grizzlies big three of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. each scored 20 points or more, as they have in each of the games since Morant’s return. Memphis is 3-0 since his return and looks like an entirely different team on the court.
The Grizzlies were somewhat sluggish in the first half, and as has been their practice as of late, they came out in the second half and scorched their opponent. 31 of Desmond Bane’s game-high 37 points came in the second half, with 18 coming in the third quarter.
Atlanta could not withstand the Grizzlies’ second-half onslaught even with Trae Young scoring 19 of his 30 points and Sadiq Bey and Dejounte Murray scoring 10 or more points in the second half.
Memphis continues an upward trajectory since the return of Morant, and all signs point to Marcus Smart returning in the next two games. Luke Kennard should not be too far behind him, and there are reports that Brandon Clarke could be ready to return to the court after the all-star break. Suddenly moving up the standings to earn a play-in spot doesn’t seem so far-fetched.
By The Numbers:
Memphis scored a season-high 76 paint points in their victory over the Hawks. They converted Atlanta turnovers into 24 points and finished the night with 51.5 percent overall shooting.
Desmond Bane put up a game-high 37 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block, and was responsible for 5 of the Grizzlies 11 made threes.
Ja Morant closed out with 30 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.
Jaren Jackson Jr. spent most of the game in foul trouble, but was able to put up 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting in 23 minutes.
Ziaire Williams led the second unit with 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. Santi Aldama and Xavier Tillman Sr. contributed 6 points each.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies continue their road trip after the holiday with a return to the Big Easy on Tuesday to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. CST.
Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. walking to the bench during a timeout on December 21, 2023 as the Memphis Grizzlies faced off against the Indiana Pacers (Photo by: Sharon Brown)
Ja Morant hadn’t played at FedExForum since April 26, 2023, in Game 5 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Should Memphis turn their season around, Morant’s comeback from a 25-game absence will likely be remembered as a historic achievement.
Joy and excitement had been missing from the FedExForum after the Morant-less Grizzlies went 1-11.
That all changed on Tuesday night for the 24-year-old ‘s first home game of the season.
From Derrick Rose’s introductory remarks to the introduction of Morant in the starting lineup, the energy in the arena was apparent.
“I can say it was tough, but I can’t at the same time because obviously the tough part was not being able to be out there and enjoy and have fun with my guys,” said Morant. “Now that I’m out there, I’m making sure that we’re all having fun, no matter what, so that was pretty much just my message.”
He went on to say, “You can just tell by the energy of the team. We catch a lob, you have the bench going crazy, you have the players screaming and yelling and dapping each other up. That’s our type of basketball. That’s how we are. That’s the team we are, people we are. We are very close knit. I just preach that man, regardless of what it is, we have to have fun and celebrate the opportunities we have day in and day out.”
The Grizzlies had plenty of reasons to celebrate and when the final buzzer sounded, it was Desmond Bane, Morant, and Jaren Jackson Jr. who pulled Memphis to a 116-103 win against the Indiana Pacers.
Bane led the way with 31 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Jackson Jr. added 21 points while going 8-of-10 from the field and a team-high 8 rebounds. Morant finished with 20 points, a team-high 8 assists and five rebounds.
The Grizzlies are 6-0 when Morant, Bane, and Jackson Jr. all score 20 or more points.
It was Vince Williams Jr. shutting the water off on Pacers star Tyrese Halliburton. Halliburton went 3-of-8 from the field when Williams Jr. was his primary defender.
“It’s great — he’s doing it every single night, and I’m happy for him, but we expect that out of him,” said Jackson Jr. of Williams Jr.’s defensive presence. “He relishes those things. He’s also a perfectionist. He wants to shut down every player on every point, and that’s not always going to happen, but the fact that he shoots for that is amazing. That’s the mentality you need going against these players to make it really hard on them. And he has all these key stops and key shots, and key ball moves and plays on stretches that we’re having that are super important.”
Ziaire Williams, Santi Aldama, and John Konchar were rejuvenated off the bench. Williams chipped in 16 points and 2 blocks, while Aldama had 13 points. Konchar ended with six points, six rebounds, and two outstanding blocked shots.
“It felt amazing! It felt like I was watching Memphis Basketball. The energy and support for Ja was off the charts. I could feel the vibe inside the forum from the fans, from his teammates, and it made for an amazing game! If I didn’t already know how the city felt about Ja Morant, last night would’ve made me believe that Ja is a superstar not only for the Grizzlies, but also for the city of Memphis as a whole!”
Season-ticket holder Frederique Worthy:
“From the moment fans started walking into the Forum, the energy felt completely different, and in the best way. Seeing Ja return to complete our big three, just felt like a weight lifted from our collective shoulders. Smiles, high fives, and shouts of joy were shared all around.”
Up Next
The Grizzlies head to Atlanta to take on Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, December 23, inside State Farm Arena at 7 p.m. CT.
The Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks squared off at the FedExForum on Monday, December 11, 2023 (Photo by: Sharon Brown)
Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins’ answers were short when he spoke to the media after the team’s 120-113 loss to the Dallas Mavericks at FedExForum.
The Grizzlies went from having the best home record in the association last season, 35-6, to having one of the worst, 1-10, this season.
Jenkins was visibly frustrated with the team’s effort and energy. He said, “It’s pretty high. I mean, we’ve got to come out and create our own energy and we can’t have teams coming in here, regardless of what our roster is or whose playing and all that stuff. You’ve got to protect home court. We’ve got to come out with a better edge. We’ve found it on the road in the recent stretch. I can’t put my finger on it, but we’ve just got to play better. Our fans deserve better. We’ve got to come out here and play with more energy.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. had one of his best offensive games of the season, finishing in the paint and from beyond the arc. He led Memphis with a season-high 41 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks. Over the last four games Jackson Jr. has been consistent on the offensive end, averaging 30.8 points while shooting 53.6 percent from the field and 52 percent from the 3-point line.
Desmond Bane continued to put the team on his back with a 28 points and eight assists performance. He said the team just has to be better when the opportunity arises.
The Dallas bench outscored the Grizzlies bench 42-23. Vince Williams Jr. was the lone Memphis reserve in double digits, getting a near double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
He also had words with the Dallas Mavericks All-NBA forward, Luka Doncic. “He was just talking shit the whole time,” Doncic said about his back-and-forth with Williams Jr. “I told him – I wish I could play him one-on-one. That’s when I got a tech. So, I don’t know. The refs have to just let us talk, you know. It’s a part of the game. I love it. I think he’s a great defender …. This game, we were both talking, and only I got the tech, so I don’t know.”
Williams Jr. descibed it as friendly competition with Doncic. When asked how he feels about guarding players like Doncic, he responded: “I feel like I have been doing a good job since the Boston game guarding the stars; so I’ve been prepared.” Doncic went 2-of-9 from the field when Williams Jr. was his primary defender.
The two-way wing has the trust of his teammates and the seal of approval from Bane.
“He’s a dog. He competes each and every night on the defensive end,” said Bane of Williams, Jr. “He’s selfless and he’s out there to make the right play. If he’s open, he’s gonna shoot it. If he’s not, he’s gonna drive it or pass it to the open teammate.”
“Those are the type of guys that that win basketball games,” Bane continued. “I think you see it every time he steps out there, that he has an impact on winning. It’s not always with scoring or flashy plays, but he’s gonna make the open shot and he’s gonna dive on the floor to get the loose balls. He’s the type of guy I want on my team for sure.”
Reinforcements are Near
Ja Morant’s return can’t come soon enough for the Grizzlies. He has only three games left in his 25-game league suspension. Plus, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart are close to returning from injury.
Jackson Jr. was reminded of how the Grizzlies had a comeback from a 6-16 start in Morant’s rookie year. He said, “Regardless of the trend of last year, whatever happens, you just think about the next games and how you can be effective and how you can turn around, and I believe we’re going to do that. I mean you never make excuses for what’s going on.”
Jackson Jr.. continued, “Everyone’s learning each other still. Everyone’s syncing up and when we sync up, we look good. Like when we’re all clicking, and we know what’s going on we look good and then we have reinforcements on the way. So, it’s good.”
For the organization’s and fans’ sake, let’s hope that the reinforcements make a difference.
Up Next
The Grizzlies have a two-game away and home series with former teammate Dillon Brooks and the Houston Rockets. The Grizzlies travel to Houston on Wednesday and return home on Friday for the second match-up.
