Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies clinched a spot in the 2022 NBA playoffs with a 133-103 win over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night at FedExForum. 

we here. pic.twitter.com/FbEfH0wTZC

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) March 25, 2022

It was an impressive win for Memphis, who will be without Ja Morant for at least two more weeks due to a knee injury. Clinching a playoff spot will allow Morant to heal properly in time for the postseason. 

With Morant absent, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and De'Anthony Melton led the Grizzlies on Thursday night, combining for 69 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. It was an especially impressive night for Bane, who has been in a groove over the last few weeks. 

The Grizzlies were destined to reach the playoffs for the second straight season behind the efforts of Morant, Bane and Jackson. 

Morant is in the midst of his best season in the NBA, averaging 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists while shooting 49.3 percent from the floor and 34.0 percent from deep through 56 games. He has been the main driving force behind Memphis' success, though Brooks and Bane have been significant factors. 

Jackson is also having an impressive season, averaging 16.3 points and a career-high 2.3 blocks, while Bane has taken a significant leap forward in his sophomore campaign, averaging 18.0 points. 

The Grizzlies have kept pace with some of the best teams in the league this season, including the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors. They are 51-23, second place in the Western Conference, which is a significant improvement from their eighth-place finish last season.

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant is out for Tuesday's game against the Indiana Pacers because of a back injury described as soreness, the team announced.

The 22-year-old floor general is one of the brightest young players in the NBA. Morant was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time in his career as a starter after putting up averages of 27.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists.

Morant has dealt with injuries throughout the year. The third-year point guard had a 12-game absence earlier this season because of a knee sprain. He also missed time while he was in the league's health and safety protocols, and he sat out a game with an ankle issue. The Grizzlies are 12-2 this year when Morant sits.

Memphis is one of the top teams in the league with a record of 47-22. The team is second in the Western Conference and holds a 4.5-game lead in the Southwest Division entering Tuesday's matchup against Indiana.

While Morant is sidelined, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. are likely to shoulder the scoring load for the Grizzlies. Tyus Jones and De'Anthony Melton will see more time and take over the ball-handling duties in Morant's absence.

Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant is having a breakout year and is in the MVP conversation, but apparently he hasn't impressed everyone.

An NBA executive told ESPN's Tim Bontemps that he believes perception isn't reality and Morant's success this season is more of a product of the system around him.

"It's weird to say this, but I don't think [Morant] is quite as good as his public perception," an Eastern Conference executive said. "If you put Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] on that Memphis team, he could potentially be doing a lot of the same things."

According to a survey conducted by ESPN, 15 NBA scouts and executives ranked Morant as the second-most desirable young point guard to build a team around behind Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic. ESPN made a pool of six floor generals who are still on their rookie deals. Morant received four first-place votes, eight second-place votes, two thirds and a fourth. 

The other players in the field were Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Charlotte Hornets' LaMelo Ball, Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland and Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young.

Morant earned a trip to the All-Star Game this season for the first time in his three-year career and ranks seventh in the NBA with 27.6 points per game. He averaged 33.0 points in the month of February with two 40-point games and a career-high 52-point performance. He's put together an array of highlights that have set him apart as one of the most exciting players to watch.

With Morant leading the way, the Grizzlies have climbed to second in the Western Conference with a 44-22 record. They hold a 3.5-game lead over the Mavericks in the Southwest Division.

To the East executive's point, Memphis has not struggled when Morant has been off the floor. The Grizzlies are 12-2 this season when the 22-year-old isn't in the lineup, per StatMuse.

Morant and the Grizzlies will take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was highly complimentary of Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant during an NBA All-Star Weekend press conference Saturday in Cleveland.

Giannis lauded Morant's improvement since entering the league and suggested Ja could eventually lead the Grizzlies to a championship:

Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo on Grizzlies’ Ja Morant: “He’s improved with every single year. He’s having an unbelievable year this year, crazy. I know that he’s a very humble kid. I know he works extremely hard. Why not? Why can’t he win a championship in Memphis?” pic.twitter.com/9eI0ZBJmDX

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 19, 2022

Morant, who was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020 after going No. 2 overall in the 2019 draft, is making his All-Star Game debut Sunday.

After averaging what was then a career-high 19.1 points per game last season, Morant has raised his game to an elite level this season, averaging 26.8 points per game to go along with 6.9 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 three-pointers made and 1.2 steals per contest.

Morant has also been more efficient than ever, shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 33.0 percent from beyond the arc.

While the 22-year-old somewhat surprisingly led the Grizzlies to the playoffs last season as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, the team has grown by leaps and bounds this season.

With a record of 41-19, the Grizzlies have the third-best mark in the NBA and are the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, making them legitimate championship contenders.

Giannis knows a thing or two about playing top-flight basketball and winning championships, as he is a two-time NBA MVP and won NBA Finals MVP last season en route to the Bucks winning a title.

Since the Bucks are in a virtual tie for third in the Eastern Conference, a Bucks vs. Grizzlies NBA Finals isn't outside the realm of possibility.

First, they will go head to head in Sunday's All-Star Game when Giannis and Team LeBron face Morant and Team Durant.

Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. called teammate Ja Morant the NBA's MVP right now in an interview with Tyler R. Tynes of GQ Magazine.

"He’s MVP right now," Jackson said in response to Tynes asking him whether he thought Morant was the NBA's best player:

I know you guys like all those discussions and everything, but if he’s your MVP then we up right now! If he’s MVP, I’m pullin’ up to the crib and we goin’ crazy. I’m not even gonna ask him first, either. His gate code crazy, too. I don’t even know it, but I’ll figure it out when I get there. And then I’m on his ass! MVP, even younger than D-Rose [Derrick Rose, who was 22 years and 191 days old when he won MVP].

It's easy to make a case for Morant, who is averaging 26.3 points, 6.9 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game for a 36-18 Grizzlies team that owns the NBA's third-best record.

He's been the catalyst for the team's massive turnaround. Memphis barely snuck into the playoffs after going 38-34 last year, finishing ninth in the Western Conference before earning a postseason berth through the play-in tournament.

This year's Grizzlies may eclipse last season's win total by the mid-February All-Star Break. They're on fire—after starting 9-10, they've since gone 27-8.

The latest FanDuel Sportsbook odds have Morant fifth on the ledger at +1000 ($100 bet to win $1,000).

He's got some tough competition with the Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, the Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic, the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry all ahead of him.

However, Morant has more pressing matters at hand as he attempts to guide the Grizzlies to a deep playoff run and perhaps their first NBA championship in franchise history.

Jaren Jackson Jr. posted a 26-point, 10-rebound double-double to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 120-108 road win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.

Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant added 23 points, nine assists and three steals for Memphis, which never trailed after the opening minute and led by as many as 19. Ziaire Williams posted 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting, and center Steven Adams led the Grizz with 13 boards.

The Knicks made it close in the fourth quarter when Immanuel Quickley scored seven points in 22 seconds to cap an 11-0 run and cut the Grizzlies' lead to 95-90 with 9:05 remaining.

However, the Grizzlies responded with nine straight points for a 104-90 edge. The Knicks cut the lead to six on two separate occasions down the stretch but could not come any closer.

For the Knicks, Evan Fournier led the way with 30 points, making eight of 12 three-pointers along the way.

RJ Barrett added 23 points, Julius Randle fell one assist short of a triple-double and Mitchell Robinson fell two blocks shy of one after a 14-point, 11-rebound, eight-block night that put him in some great company:

Mitchell Robinson is the first Knicks player with at least 10 points, 10 rebounds and 8 blocks in a game since Patrick Ewing in 1991

— Knicks Stats (@NY_Knicks_Stats) February 3, 2022

The 36-18 Grizzlies have now won four of their last five games. The 24-28 Knicks have lost seven of their last nine.

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Notable Performances

Grizzlies PF Jaren Jackson Jr.: 26 points, 10 rebounds

Grizzlies PG Ja Morant: 23 points, 9 assists, 3 steals

Grizzlies SF Ziaire Williams: 21 points

Grizzlies C Steven Adams: 13 rebounds

Knicks SG Evan Fournier: 30 points, 5 rebounds

Knicks G/F RJ Barrett: 23 points

Knicks PF Julius Randle: 18 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists

Knicks C Mitchell Robinson: 14 points, 11 rebounds, 8 blocks

      

Grizzlies' Fantastic Roster Shines Again

The NBA MVP award is up for clear debate this year, with some great candidates such as Morant, the Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, the Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul and the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry.

One postseason award that needs zero thought, however, is the Executive of the Year award. That should go to Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman, who has assembled a deep, young roster that very well could win the NBA Finals.

For starters, rookie Ziaire Williams missed only two field-goal attempts en route to his 21 points.

Have yourself a night Z!

@therealZiaire | #GrindCity pic.twitter.com/02tMrW8OP5

— Grizzlies On FanDuel Sports Network (@FDSN_Grizzlies) February 3, 2022

It was a great effort after he missed a three-pointer that would have given the Grizzlies a 122-120 overtime lead with seven seconds remaining in their game against the 76ers on Monday, but his shot did not connect, and Memphis ended up losing by three.

The rookie immediately and impressively shook that shot off by dominating the Knicks.

JJJ was great. Ja was solid

But Ziaire Williams showed out tonight after that miss in the Sixers game. He’s still a work in progress but he’s coming along nicely. Good Grizzlies W at the Garden

— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) February 3, 2022

Taylor Jenkins spoke highly of Ziaire Williams’ impact as a two-way player.

“Really proud of him. He’s shown me a lot. He’s got a bright future.”

— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) February 3, 2022

Jackson continued to be a menace on both ends, leading the team in scoring and rebounding and showcasing why he should receive some Defensive Player of the Year looks.

Sometimes, he's unguardable. He appears just as likely to hit a three as he is to throw a slam dunk on someone's face.

TRIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP pic.twitter.com/Ay7RcyR1iv

— Grizzlies On FanDuel Sports Network (@FDSN_Grizzlies) February 3, 2022

🗣 ON HIS HEAD!@jarenjacksonjr | #GrindCity pic.twitter.com/zlKuPqBkn5

— Grizzlies On FanDuel Sports Network (@FDSN_Grizzlies) February 3, 2022

Morant is a well-deserved MVP candidate, and he once again showed why Wednesday. Yes, he shot just 9-of-27, but he played tough defense (three steals) and finished with a game-high plus-13 rating.

The fact that he was able to positively affect the game despite a bad off-night shooting shows just how special he is. He's an electric and entertaining player whose leadership skills are becoming readily apparent:

Welcome to the Dark 🥷@JaMorant | #GrindCity pic.twitter.com/M4bZ9uQjHh

— Grizzlies On FanDuel Sports Network (@FDSN_Grizzlies) February 3, 2022

Such insane leadership and such an amazing bounce back by Zaire. People wonder why team is the way it is this year… look no further… https://t.co/eQHUCbdygx

— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) February 3, 2022

Elsewhere, Adams did the dirty work on the boards, Desmond Bane filled the stat sheet (seven rebounds, two steals, two blocks) despite scoring 13 points on 4-of-18 shooting and De'Anthony Melton (14) and Brandon Clarke (10) combined for 24 points despite playing just 18 minutes apiece.

This team is going to be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time, and right now, the Grizz are showing why.

    

Knicks' Free Fall Continues

The Knicks' chances of finishing strong following a slow start to the season a la last year appear bleaker by the day.

New York has now fallen to 24-28 in the Eastern Conference standings, bad enough for 12th overall and two spots behind the final play-in tournament position.

Any hope of a deep playoff run seems all but lost at this juncture, especially with the top nine of the East separating themselves from the rest of a losing pack.

To make matters worse, the Knicks entered the Grizzlies' game with the third-toughest remaining schedule in the league. They also have four more road than home games down the stretch.

The Knicks were 23rd in offensive rating last year, and that's where they sat this year, per Basketball Reference. Missing an injured Derrick Rose hurts, as does Randle's struggles this season.

However, the big difference is a dip on the defensive end, where New York now sits 11th as opposed to third the year prior.

Outside Robinson throwing a block party, the defense struggled against the deep Memphis roster.

Six Grizzlies scored 10 or more points. Memphis dropped 120 on the Knicks in the Garden despite Morant and Bane combining to shoot just 13-of-45. The Grizzlies also had a 30-9 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Any chance the Knicks have of salvaging this season and somehow sneaking into the playoffs needs to start on the defensive end. The Knicks' offensive struggles are what they are at this point, but the defensive effort is sometimes lacking. That needs to improve quickly with the All-Star break nearing.

      

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What's Next?

Both teams will play on the road Saturday.

The Grizzlies will visit the Orlando Magic at 5 p.m. ET in Amway Center, and the Knicks will take on the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Ja Morant is inching closer to being a first-time All-Star, and the Memphis Grizzlies guard is ready for the opportunity to shine alongside some of the NBA's biggest stars. 

“I deserve this. I earned this. I worked for this,” Morant told Drew Hill of the Daily Memphian. “This is the way I wanted it. I didn’t want to be no alternate. I don’t want to be a spot-filler.”

In the latest All-Star voting returns, which were released Thursday, Morant ranked second among Western Conference guards with 2,623,359 votes. 

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry leads all Western Conference guards with more than six million votes, and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic is right on Morant's tail. 

In addition to Morant, Curry and Doncic, Klay Thompson, Devin Booker, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Donovan Mitchell, Damian Lillard and Anthony Edwards are among the guards with the most votes in the Western Conference. 

LeBron James now leads the NBA in the latest fan returns for NBA All-Star Voting presented by Tissot, which concludes this Saturday, Jan. 22.

Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan and James continue to be the top vote-getters at their respective position groups. pic.twitter.com/LBIU5BamC6

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 20, 2022

Morant has improved in each of his three seasons in the NBA. And while he proved his worth during the 2020-21 campaign, he's certainly taken his game up a level this year. 

The 2019 second overall pick is in the midst of his best season in the league. He is averaging 25.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 48.7 percent from the floor and 35.0 percent from deep. 

Morant is also in the MVP conversation as the Grizzlies are third in the Western Conference with a 32-17 record. Even Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green believes the Murray State product deserves to be in that conversation. 

Green said during his podcast:

Hell no, Ja is not going to get Most Improved. Miles Bridges should get Most Improved.

The reason I don’t think Ja should get Most Improved is because Ja this year didn’t just become Ja. We knew last year Ja was serious. We knew he was gonna be a force to be reckoned with. Now, has he improved? Absolutely. You can tell he lives in the gym and works on his game—he’s 100 percent improved. What I love most is those guys on that team follow him. They follow his demeanor. He leads that team and that organization, and that’s what I appreciate most about Ja Morant.

But when I say ‘hell no’ about the MIP conversation—Ja, in my opinion, Ja has already passed that. Let’s talk about the MVP conversation. That’s the category that I personally feel like Ja Morant needs to be mentioned more in. He is playing at an MVP-level, All-Star starter, all of those things, he is at that level.

The Grizzlies barely floated above the .500 mark last season and were eliminated from the playoffs in five games by the Utah Jazz. With how Morant and Co. are playing right now, the team could go deeper in the playoffs this season in a wide-open Western Conference.   

Ja Morant has a fan in Draymond Green.

The Golden State Warriors forward said Morant deserves to be in the MVP conversation during the latest episode of his podcast (15:45 mark):  

“Hell no, Ja is not going to get Most Improved. Miles Bridges should get Most Improved.

“The reason I don’t think Ja should get Most Improved is because Ja this year didn’t just become Ja. We knew last year Ja was serious. We knew he was gonna be a force to be reckoned with. Now, has he improved? Absolutely. You can tell he lives in the gym and works on his game—he’s 100 percent improved. What I love most is those guys on that team follow him. They follow his demeanor. He leads that team and that organization, and that’s what I appreciate most about Ja Morant. 

“But when I say ‘hell no’ about the MIP conversation—Ja, in my opinion, Ja has already passed that. Let’s talk about the MVP conversation. That’s the category that I personally feel like Ja Morant needs to be mentioned more in. He is playing at an MVP-level, All-Star starter, all of those things, he is at that level.

Morant is averaging 24.7 points, 6.9 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game, leading the Grizzlies to a 31-16 record and putting them in third place in the Western Conference. His ascent to bonafide superstar has helped propel a young Grizzlies roster to relevance in what's turned out to be a wide-open West.

Morant even got into it with Green's Warriors teammates during a 29-point effort in a 116-108 win over Golden State last week. Green said he would have had some words with Morant if he were available for the game—he's been out with a calf injury—but appreciated his toughness. 

The Memphis Grizzlies just keep on rolling.

After seeing their 11-game winning streak snapped Friday, the Grizz responded by hammering a short-handed Chicago Bulls team Monday, 119-106, behind big nights from Ja Morant and Desmond Bane.

Ja doing Ja things live on TNT! pic.twitter.com/Ss8NRXkP6n

— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2022

shooting ultralight beams.

9 in the first half for @DBane0625 pic.twitter.com/WVLtNUfUeP

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 17, 2022

Since starting the year 9-10, the Grizzlies (31-15) have won 22 of their last 27 contests.

And yes, Morant did something special. He always does:

🤯 JA GOES 360!@memgrizz live on TNT! pic.twitter.com/Y2lfTXvoPN

— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2022

Ja Morant just did a damn magic trick in midair.

— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) January 17, 2022

The Grizzlies didn't face Chicago's full complement of talent, however. Zach LaVine missed the game with a knee injury, while Lonzo Ball missed the contest with knee soreness. Alex Caruso was also out after just being cleared from the NBA's health and safety protocols.

Bulls need to get Caruso & Green back ASAP. The body language not good today in Memphis & they didn’t have a chance with only 10 players available & Vucevic going scoreless in the 1st half. 2 more tough games coming up vs. Cavs & Bucks.

— Mark Schanowski (@MarkSchanowski) January 17, 2022

The good news for the Bulls was that Saturday's MRI on LaVine's knee showed no structural damage, and he'll be reevaluated next week.

"Well, obviously very optimistic and very grateful that it wasn't something more," Bulls coach Billy Donovan told reporters over the weekend. "That's why they wanted to do the MRI, so he'll continue to get therapy and we'll re-evaluate him after a period of time. I don't think it's something that's long-term, which is a good thing. So the biggest thing is how does he respond to therapy, treatment, those kinds of things."

If Monday's tough loss was any indication, however, life without LaVine—even in the short term—is going to be difficult for the Bulls.

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Key Stats

Ja Morant, MEM: 25 points

Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM: 14 points, five rebounds, five blocks

Desmond Bane, MEM: 25 points

DeMar DeRozan, CHI: 24 points, five assists

Nikola Vucevic, CHI: Seven points, 10 rebounds, two blocks

Coby White, CHI: 16 points, five assists

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Bane Was Feeling It

Morant is the main topic around Memphis on most days, and for good reason—he's a highlight waiting to happen. And he was hardly chopped liver Monday.

But Bane was excellent, serving as yet another reminder of the promise the young Grizzlies boast.

“Desmond Bane is a leading candidate for Most Improved Player and has been a borderline All-Star.” - Stan Van Gundy pic.twitter.com/3RUPSosQcO

— Bryce Hayes (@nxtprodigy) January 17, 2022

This is why the Grizzlies have been good since Thanksgiving. Balance. Defense. Everybody eats after Ja/Bane/JJJ get the party going.

Much better showing on national TV than Friday.

— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) January 17, 2022

After being a rotational player as a rookie, Bane has emerged as one of Memphis' most important players and has started every game he's played this year. There aren't many teams more fun to watch than the Grizz right now, and Bane is one of the reasons why.

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It Wasn't Vucevic's Night

While LaVine is out, the Bulls are going to need DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic to do the heavy lifting. While DeRozan did his part, the Bulls starting center struggled immensely, shooting just 2-of-13 from the field.

Donovan puts in four subs and Ayo (who usually is a sub). Vucevic didn't play in 4th after 2-13 night.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 17, 2022

Vucevic was sleeping through the 1st half

— Herb Lawrence (@Ecnerwal23) January 17, 2022

Vucevic, to his credit, worked hard on the glass. His shot just wasn't falling.

The veteran has largely been the third fiddle in Chicago behind LaVine and DeRozan this season. Now, the Bulls need him to step up. He didn't do so Monday.

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What's Next?

The Grizzlies travel to Milwaukee to face the defending champion Bucks on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. The Bulls will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on that same date and time.

There are nothing but good vibes surrounding the Memphis Grizzlies after they won their 10th consecutive game Tuesday by beating the Golden State Warriors 116-108, but Ja Morant had a message to one fan at the FedExForum.

Morant joked that it was "disrespectful" for a young fan wearing a Stephen Curry jersey to ask him for a high-five after his last shot attempt. 

gotta get the kid a @JaMorant jersey 😂 🎤 pic.twitter.com/fWvomiWhJq

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 12, 2022

It occurred late in the fourth quarter when Morant wound up in the stands in front of two young fans wearing Warriors jerseys who had their arms extended:

Ja Morant said it was "disrespectful" for the kid wearing a Steph jersey to high five him after his last shot and that he has no mercy for him 😂

He offered to send him a Morant jersey and hopes he returns as a Grizzlies fan pic.twitter.com/TaFRRm2Tu5

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 12, 2022

Even though Morant did playfully call out the fan after the game, this is actually an inadvertently brilliant move by the young man.

He is going to be the envy of all his friends because an NBA superstar talked about him, and it sounds like the Grizzlies might hook him up with a free jersey. There is no downside to this for him. 

As for Morant, he is sitting on top of the world. The 22-year-old is a human-highlight machine virtually every night. He has blossomed into arguably the best young point guard in the sport, averaging a career-high 24.9 points per game with a 37.9 percent success rate from three-point range. 

The Grizzlies have climbed to fourth place in the Western Conference thanks to their winning streak. They are 15 games over .500 (29-14) for the first time since the end of the 2014-15 season.