Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during the Emirates NBA Cup game on December 3, 2024.
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
As the Emirates NBA Cup group stage came to a close, the Dallas Mavericks ended the Memphis Grizzlies’ six-game winning streak with a 121-116 win at American Airlines Center on Tuesday night.
The Mavericks improved to 14-8, while Memphis fell to 14-8.
The Grizzlies went up by as many as 15 points early in the fourth quarter, but they were unable to take advantage of Dallas’ blunders and ultimately lost the game. But let’s not get it twisted: The main reason for the Grizzlies’ fourth-quarter collapse was the free-throw disparity.
The Mavericks’ 44 free throws (compared to Memphis’ 14) were the game-changer. It’s unheard of to have a free-throw differential of 30. In the final period, Dallas went to the line 26 times while the Grizzlies managed to go just three times. It was a 26-3 free-throw advantage in the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks’ 23-free-throw edge in was the most lopsided fourth quarter disparity in the NBA since 2015 according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Plus, Memphis couldn’t find a rhythm and went eight of 23 from the field and a dismal 2 of 10 from the three-point line in the final quarter. The Grizzlies’ offense stalled in the final three minutes, scoring just five points while making only two of nine shots, allowing the Mavericks to pull away with an 18-5 run. Dallas won the period, 39-21.
The final period took a whopping 42 minutes to finish.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with a season-best 31 points. Desmond Bane added 19 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds, and Santi Aldama provided a spark off the bench with 15 points and eight rebounds.
Weird coincidence
Memphis defeated the Mavericks in preseason, 121-116 on October 4, 2024 in Dallas.
Up Next
The Grizzlies are gearing up to host the Sacramento Kings at FedExForum this Thursday, December 5, at 7 p.m. CT.
Ja Morant after Grizzlies 120-109 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, November 29, 2024. (Photo credit: @memgrizz on X)
With a 120-109 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum on Friday, the Memphis Grizzlies extended their winning streak to five games, the team’s longest since March 2023.
It was their first-ever win in the Emirates NBA Cup after a previous record of 0-6.
Memphis moved to six games above .500, boasting a 13-7 record and a 6-1 mark in their last seven contests.
The Grizzlies remain formidable at FedExForum, where they’ve won four straight and own a 9-3 record this season.
In his first NBA Cup group play appearance, Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 27 points (10-18 FG, 7-7 FT), seven assists and three steals. Morant consistently proves why he’s the most electrifying player in the NBA, treating fans to a nightly spectacle of athleticism and skill.
With an impressive line of 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 28.3 minutes per game while shooting 51.6 percent from the floor, the 25-year-old is well on his way to a career-best campaign.
In their last two games together, a clear pattern has emerged: Morant sparks the Grizzlies in the first half; Jackson Jr. seals the deal in the second half.
“It’s great that Ja [Morant] sets a tone when we talk about our pace,” said Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, when asked about the Morant and Jackson Jr. dynamic. “When he’s a driver of that, we get guys running without the ball. We get kick-aheads, we get early lobs. We get drive, kick-swings or swing-swings off of his early attacks.”
Jenkins continued, “Credit to the Pelicans. [They] had a pretty good game plan against Jaren [Jackson Jr.]. He couldn’t really get to some spots on the floor. They showed double teams. He had one good kick out and then another crowded one. It took him maybe a minute to get in the flow. I’m glad in the second half he turned it up.”
Off the bench, Santi Aldama added 20 points (8-9 FG, 3-3 3P, 1-2 FT), six rebounds and four assists.
The Grizzlies reserves have been critical to the team’s success early in the season. Memphis’ bench is second in the association in scoring this season. Over the past two games, they have outscored opponents 118-79.
On the Horizon
In the last game of their four-game home stand on Sunday, December 1, the Memphis Grizzlies will host the Indiana Pacers at 2:30 p.m.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) dunks the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at FedExForum on Nov 25, 2024. (Wes Hale Photo)
After an eight-game injury absence, the Memphis Grizzlies saw an instant benefit from Ja Morant’s return. In the Grizzlies’ 123-98 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers, Monday night, Morant had an outstanding game, scoring 22 points and dishing out 11 assists.
After the win, Morant reflected on his return, saying, “I felt good, I played good.”
Several highlight-reel plays demonstrated that Morant’s return to the lineup was a smooth one. He showed great team chemistry by setting up Jaren Jackson Jr. for an alley-oop and dishing a behind-the-back pass to Brandon Clarke.
Before his injury, Morant was becoming the go-to offensive catalyst for the Grizzlies, with averages of 20.6 points, 9.1 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. With his return, the team’s energy and dynamic seemed to be revitalized, leading to an increase in offensive speed. His exceptional playmaking skills not only elevate his own game but also create opportunities for teammates to excel.
The win over the Blazers propelled Memphis from seventh to fifth place in the wild, wild Western Conference standings.
The Grizzlies extended their winning streak to three games, matching their longest streak of the season. They’ve also won four of their last five games, showcasing their growing momentum.
Morant’s influence on the game was a testament to his return to form. “Just attacking my return process,” Morant said after the game. “The ramp up. Making sure I’m in rhythm when I’m out there.”
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins praised Morant’s return. “He works his tail off, throughout the return-to-play process,” said Jenkins. “He loves this game. He misses being out there. I think I said it to someone before the game – his engagement, even when he’s out, you all don’t get to see the work that he’s putting in.”
Jenkins added: “This past week was some of the best work I’d seen from him … His engagement with his teammates, his voice in the locker room, film sessions, and on the sidelines — he was chomping at the bit to get out there. He and I were talking on the side saying, ‘What’s this going to look like in two weeks from now?’ We were talking two weeks ago about the things he was doing well, what he can correct, what he can get better at, where the team’s head space is at, what we have to do better just as a team … He was translating that to the guys throughout the game. He was just locked in the last three-ish weeks.”
“He loves the game — he put in the work,” Jenkins said. “And this is no shock — the impact he made with the pace of play. I thought he did a phenomenal job on [Anfernee] Simons defensively. He held him to five points. His point of attack defensively definitely set a tone for us as well tonight.”
Jackson Jr. powered through a slow start to post 21 points, with 12 coming in the 4th quarter, while shooting 66.7% from the field.
The 25-year-old big man emphasized the importance of versatility, saying that a player can’t rely on just one skill. Instead, being effective requires a mix of different abilities, such as posting up, driving, and shooting from outside. This versatility also allows for more energy and activity on defense.
“It felt more like a playoff atmosphere, I was loving it,” said Jackson Jr. on the energy inside FedExForum.
Santi Aldama secured a career-high 17 rebounds and 13 points (6-12 FG, 1-1 3P), marking his sixth double-double of the season. Aldama has achieved three double-doubles in his last four games.
With their two-time All-Star back in the lineup, the Grizzlies are well-positioned to make a playoff push. However, to make a deep playoff run, Morant’s health is crucial. After navigating earlier season challenges with injuries and inconsistencies, the team’s success hinges on Morant’s ability to stay healthy.
Next Up
The Grizzlies will host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, November 27, at FedExForum. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM CST. To make the game even more appealing, the first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a City Edition Scarf.
Jaren Jackson Jr. at the free-throw line in a game against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, November 17, 2024 (Photo by: Sharon Brown)
Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to shine for the Memphis Grizzlies, leading the team in scoring for the fifth consecutive game with 20 points, and adding six rebounds and three blocks to help secure an impressive 105-90 win over the Denver Nuggets, Sunday. Jackson Jr. finished the game with a plus-minus of +15.
The performance was the latest in a streak of impressive games, including 32 points against the Golden State Warriors on November 15, and 29 points against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 13. Jackson also had a standout game against the Washington Wizards on November 8, scoring 39 points.
Rookie Jaylen Wells added 15 points and Desmond Bane recorded his fifth career double-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. It was the Grizzlies’ fourth straight home victory, putting them at 5-2 on the season at FedExForum.
A pivotal 14-1 surge in the second quarter transformed a narrow Memphis lead into a double-digit advantage, with the Grizzlies outscoring Denver 27-18 in the quarter.
The Grizzlies achieved their sixth 30-assist game this season with 31 against the Nuggets. Ranked third in league assists per game, Memphis converted 31 of its 41 field goals from assists, and showcased balanced playmaking, with five players recording at least four assists.
Denver, the league’s second-ranked team in assists, was held to a season-low-tying 23 assists. The Nuggets were without MVP Nikola Jokic for the second straight game due to personal reasons.
What They Said
What Vince Williams Jr. had to say after the game:
On returning to play since injury:
“It’s decent right now. I can’t really say I’m in; can’t really say I’m out, but I’m just trying to figure it out and take things day by day. I’m working with training staff, trying to see what’s going on with my body. … I’m having fun being out there on the court again.”
On his perspective of not starting:
“Injuries happen, so I’m just trying to battle that right now. And then, it’s just about my team winning, so I’ll do whatever to help my team win.”
On passing the ball:
“I like to give my teammates the ball. I feel like they knock down shots for me. I kind of know where they want the ball at certain times. I missed Santi [Aldama] twice today, so I’ll make it up to him.”
Update on Ja Morant
During pregame availability, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said Morant was still week to week due to right hip (subluxation and pelvic muscle strains). He said the 25-year-old will have imaging done soon.
However on X (formerly known as Twitter), Morant provided an update on his own.
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
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.
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 (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.
