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Memphis Grizzlies

CHICAGO – Just how lucky is the No. 7, truly?

As it relates to the NBA’s Draft Lottery odds, the Grizzlies are on the verge of finding out.

The Grizzlies are among 14 teams that will enter McCormick Place West Convention Center in Chicago on Sunday hoping a set of numbered ping-pong balls bounce their way and deliver the No. 1 pick in next month’s NBA Draft.

Coming off an injury-riddled 27-55 season, Memphis is slotted with the seventh-best odds as it lands in the lottery for the third time in seven years. However, the Grizzlies are in a unique position amid mostly young and rebuilding teams looking to draft the next prized prospects.

The Grizzlies are a bit of an outlier in a group that includes the Pistons, Wizards, Blazers, Spurs and Hornets – teams that own the best odds to emerge Sunday with the top pick.&nbsp;

The Grizzlies arrive at the lottery with a proven core just entering their prime in Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, a veteran supporting cast that includes Marcus Smart and rapidly developing young talent in Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson.

So, regardless of where the ping-pong balls settle Sunday, Memphis will move forward with a top draft asset and plenty of encouraging avenues to further bolster its roster. A franchise that recently finished second in the Western Conference over consecutive seasons will be set up to quickly bounce back from last season’s letdown and reclaim status among the top contenders.

“We’ll obviously have more information about what pick we have, (and) a lot begins to allow us to think through next steps,” Grizzlies president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman said ahead of Sunday’s lottery. “We’re going to be openminded on what we can do with that pick.”

Kleiman is prepared with a response and will get to work no matter how the lottery pans out.

“If on Lottery Night we move up, what I will have to say is, ‘Great, we’ve moved up – either we’re going to take the best available player or trade the pick,’” Kleiman suggested. “If we don’t move up on Lottery Night, I’ll say, ‘We still have this great pick; we’re either going to trade the pick or pick the best player available. We know what we want to address . . . We’ll have a better idea once we know where we are in this draft.”

As the countdown to clarity looms, here are Grind City Media’s ‘Five Things To Know’ about the Grizzlies entering the lottery.

Seeded behind Detroit (14.0%), Washington (14.0%), Charlotte (13.3%), Portland (13.2%), San Antonio (10.5%) and Toronto (9.0%), Memphis has a 7.5-percent shot to secure the No. 1 pick.

That places the Grizzlies right in the middle of the lottery pecking order. Slotted behind Memphis entering Sunday are Utah (6.0%), Brooklyn (4.5%), Atlanta (3.0%), Chicago (2.0%), Houston (1.5%), Sacramento (0.8%) and Golden State (0.7%).

Historically, teams in the Grizzlies’ 7th position entering the lottery have fared well, especially recently. Since the lottery expanded to its current format in 1990, there have been eight instances where the team slotted seventh jumped into the top four after the lottery drawing.

It happened five consecutive years from 2018 to 2022. And three times – in 2000, 2007 and 2019 – the team with the seventh-best lottery odds emerged with the No. 1 pick. The Grizzlies are one of nine NBA franchises that has never landed in the lottery’s top spot.

The last two times the Grizzlies were in the draft lottery, they moved in far different directions but ultimately acquired a pair of franchise anchors.

In 2018, the Grizzlies had the NBA’s second-worst record, therefore the second-best odds to secure the No. 1 pick. As it turned out, Memphis fell two spots and into the fourth pick, which produce Jackson Jr. after Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley and Luka Doncic were selected.

A year later, the Grizzlies were part of a historic result at the draft lottery. Positioned eighth going in, Memphis was one of three teams that jumped into the top four when the balls dropped. The Pelicans hopped from seventh to the No. 1 spot and ultimately picked Zion Williamson, the Grizzlies propelled from eighth to No. 2 and chose Morant and the Lakers leapfrogged from 11th in the order to the No. 4 slot to draft and trade De’Andre Hunter.

In Jackson Jr. and Morant, the Grizzlies duo has combined for three All-Star appearances, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player and a Rookie of the Year selection.

The Grizzlies will be represented on the lottery broadcast stage by vice president of basketball affairs Tayshaun Prince, a 14-year NBA veteran who won a championship in 2004 with Detroit.&nbsp;

Prince is one of the most respected and connected voices in the organization when it comes to relationships with executives, players and agents across the league. When the Grizzlies were last in the lottery, multiple players who either worked out or interviewed with the Grizzlies during the draft process spoke highly of their dealings with Prince and his ability to relate.

Memphis will also have a front-office executive, presumably Kleiman, representing the team inside the sequestered room where the actual lottery drawing is administered by an independent accounting firm. That process unfolds 90 minutes prior to the national television broadcast, where the 14 team envelopes holding results will be revealed in descending order.

Picking up from where we left on in the First Thing To Know about the Grizzlies entering the lottery – here’s a guarantee: Memphis will end up with no worse than the No. 11 pick.

Another fact: Based on lottery rules and metrics, it’s impossible for the Grizzlies to get the fifth or sixth selections. So, they have 31.9-percent chance to land a top-four pick, a 19.7-percent shot to remain at seventh or a 48.3-percent possibility to fall to eighth, ninth, 10th or 11th.

Much like the Grizzlies’ potential landing spots in the lottery, the top prospects in this year’s draft class are also essentially all over the board, based on prominent mock drafts.

The consensus heads of the class appear to be French center Alex Sarr, French swingman Zaccharie Risacher, a pair of UCONN championship teammates in guard Stephon Castle and center Donovan Clingan, along with Kentucky’s duo of Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard.

Once the lottery ends, the Grizzlies will be among the NBA’s 30 teams with executives and coaching staffs remaining in Chicago to attend the weeklong NBA Draft Combine.

Nearly 80 draft-eligible players were invited to the Combine, which starts Monday, to take measurements, interview with team personnel and participate in drills or workouts. Unlike in previous years, a relatively new amendment to the league’s collective bargaining agreement requires invited players to participate in many of the organized Combine activities.

It all leads to next month’s NBA Draft, which for the first time will take place over two days in New York. The first round is June 26 and the second round is June 27. The Grizzlies are currently positioned to have their lottery selection as well as picks No. 39 and 56 in the second round.

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MikeCheck: Grizzlies take 7th-best odds into NBA Draft Lottery with roster upgrade options open

The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the organization will host the&nbsp;Grizzlies Garage Sale, benefiting&nbsp;St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, on&nbsp;Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Grand Lobby of FedExForum.

The single-day event allows fans to purchase Grizzlies memorabilia, autographed items, sneakers, jerseys, basketballs and more from previous seasons. Fans can also enjoy various food trucks from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Complimentary parking in Gossett Motors Parking Garage will be available for all participants. All sales are final, and shoppers are responsible for same-day transportation of each purchase. The Grizzlies Garage Sale is a cashless event.

The Grizzlies Den, a Fanatics experience, will also open at 10 a.m. for fans to score 40% off all remaining 191 Collabs inventory, City Edition product and select on-court apparel.

FedExForum has a&nbsp;clear bag policy&nbsp;that limits the size and types of bags that may be brought into the venue for all events. Only clear bags made of plastic, vinyl, or PVC no larger than&nbsp;6x8x2 inches&nbsp;will be allowed inside FedExForum. Clear bags may not have an all-over print or decoration that prohibits full view of its contents. Clear bags may contain a strap, but metal or chain straps are prohibited. Guests will be limited to one (1) clear bag per person. For more information, visit&nbsp;fedexforum.com/arena-policy-updates.

Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies and purchase 2024-25 season tickets can do so now by going online togrizzlies.com/tickets.&nbsp;For more information on the Grizzlies, visit&nbsp;grizzlies.com,&nbsp;‘like’ Memphis Grizzlies on Facebook or follow@memgrizz&nbsp;on Twitter/X and Instagram.

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Memphis Grizzlies host Grizzlies Garage Sale benefiting St. Jude on Saturday, May 18

Open positions include Grizz Girls, Grannies & Grandpas, Blue Bunch, Grizzline, Claw Crew and Kings of the Court

Memphis, Tenn. – The Memphis Grizzlies will host open auditions throughout the summer as they search for the next performers to join their Live Entertainment teams for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Grizzlies Live Entertainment squads perform at Grizzlies home games and represent the team at promotional and community events in the Memphis area and regionally. An open casting call is out for performers of all ages and backgrounds for the following groups: Grizz Girls, outfitted by Varsity Spirit, Grannies & Grandpas, Blue Bunch, Claw Crew, Grizzline, presented by AutoZone, and the Kings of the Court. Fans who want to learn more about each Entertainment Team can go online to grizzlies.com/audition.  

GRIZZLIES LIVE ENTERTAINMENT TEAM AUDITIONS SCHEDULE:&nbsp;

Audition clinics and prep classes are available for interested applicants who want to learn the audition routines early for dance-specific tryouts, including Grizz Girls, Grannies & Grandpas and the Blue Bunch. Audition clinics allow attendees the opportunity to learn the audition choreography in advance. &nbsp;

DANCE TEAM CLINICS AND PREP CLASS SCHEDULE:&nbsp;

Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies and purchase 2024-25 Season Tickets can do so now by going online to grizzlies.com/tickets. For more information on the Grizzlies, visit grizzlies.com, ‘like’ Memphis Grizzlies on Facebook or follow @memgrizz on Twitter/X and Instagram.

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Casting Call: Memphis Grizzlies to hold auditions for All Live Entertainment Teams for 2024–25 Season

MEMPHIS – After scoring a career-high 44 points in the final game on the schedule to cap a late-season push for NBA All-Rookie team consideration, the last thing Grizzlies forward GG Jackson wanted was for the season to end.

The gregarious 19-year-old, who is the league’s youngest player, was having too much fun and success grinding through a rapid stretch of development.

“This has definitely opened up a new chapter,” Jackson insists as he eagerly eyes an offseason of increased opportunities. “And we’ve got to begin, you know, the next story. Now is where the real work begins because the stars are coming back. So, I’ve got to find exactly where do I fit? I believe I can fit for sure.”

That belief in Jackson permeates the franchise.

As the Grizzlies take inventory of a season that began with superstar Ja Morant’s 25-game NBA suspension and ended with a historic rash of injuries, they can also take solace in what was gained from a 27-55 campaign.

Atop that short list was the emergence of the Grizzlies’ last two second-round picks into first-rate rotation options as the team regroups for the 2024-25 season.

Second-year swingman Vince Williams Jr. parlayed his extended opportunities into a solidified role as Memphis’ breakout young prospect in the first half of the season. Then it was Jackson’s rapid ascension as a rookie down the stretch that allowed him to become one of the best developmental stories in the NBA.

By the time Jackson put the finishing touches on a 44-point outburst against the defending champion Denver Nuggets on April 14, the 6-foot-9 versatile forward ended the season as the NBA’s fourth-leading rookie scorer.

Not bad for a prospect whose jersey number reflects the slot where he was selected as the No. 45 pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. But Jackson used his first year in the league as a canvas to recreate the narrative around his fledgling NBA journey.

That ride started with Jackson’s rise as the nation’s top-rated prep prospects two years go. His reputation was then marred by a less-than-stellar freshman season at South Carolina, where his maturity and work ethic were questioned amid a steep slide on the draft board.

When the Grizzlies picked Jackson at No. 45, team president Zach Kleiman quickly cautioned that although supremely gifted, Jackson faced work ahead to mature on and off the court. Kleiman also insisted the Grizzlies would “give him the structure to do that.”

Having quickly progressed from a two-way G League deal to a four-year NBA contract, Jackson reflected at last week’s season exit interviews on his draft night vow to Kleiman.

“I still remember that phone call, when I was like, ‘I promise you, I’m not going to let you down; you did not make a mistake on this pick,’” Jackson recounted with gratitude following an encouraging rookie season. “Luckily, God moved me, and I showed it out on the court.”

Jackson is now ready to move into the next phases of improvement and impact.

In late May, he’ll be among a group of roster players who will return from a monthlong break to start voluntary offseason conditioning workouts. Those sessions will ramp up further in June as the Grizzlies embark on the NBA Draft, where they’re currently positioned to have a top-10 lottery pick as well as options in the second round.

From there, coach Taylor Jenkins confirmed, Jackson will help anchor the Grizzlies’ summer league team scheduled in July to compete in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.

There were some questions as to whether Jackson’s extensive playing time late in the season against top NBA competition would negate his need for summer league. The Salt Lake City and Las Vegas leagues both feature games with mainly incoming rookie draft picks and undrafted free-agent prospects vying to make NBA rosters.

But Jenkins sees specific areas where Jackson can continue to expand his game well beyond what he displayed this season. Since moving up from the G League’s Memphis Hustle on Jan. 12, Jackson has played in 48 NBA games, including 18 starts.

Over his final 17 contests, Jackson averaged 19 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 33.2 minutes. Those 44 points against Denver in the season finale were the second-most points ever scored by a teenager in an NBA game.

And that was just the latest of many age-defying performances in which Jackson joined the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant to set NBA benchmarks for youth. Jenkins has challenged Jackson to work this summer on his shooting accuracy from various locations, his defensive technique and his vision and execution as a facilitator.

The notion is that Jackson will work more next season in a supporting role, likely off the bench, in a rotation anchored by a healthy Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart among others. Another offseason goal is for GG Jackson to beef up his 215-pound frame by adding seven-to-10 pounds of muscle definition.&nbsp;

“It's going to be a great opportunity for him, just continuing to expand his game,” Jenkins said. “Obviously, he's showcased so much this season. I mean, the kid's got so much potential but we want to see that potential realized. And the work doesn't stop. It's not just saying it, it's doing it. I think he's fired up about it.”

When Jackson was reminded during his press conference that he was expected to play in summer league, he immediately pumped his fist and smiled as if he just made a big shot.

He simply can’t wait to get started again.&nbsp;

Or, perhaps, just continue doing what he’s been doing. There’s no offseason for Jackson.

When you’re learning, growing and developing as fast as he is, it’s just on to the next task.

Relatively soon, he’ll be back in the gym again working out with trainers and assistant coaches such as Anthony Carter, considered in NBA circles as one of the league’s top player development gurus.

“When we start open runs and workouts, Coach A.C. already told me, ‘It’s going to be hard, but don’t look at it like punishment – you’re going to be guarding the best,’” Jackson said of his exit meeting with the coaching staff. “He wants to put me on Ja . . . and I’m definitely going to give Des a run for his money, for sure. It’s all about getting each other better.”

Jackson then let out a sheepish laugh, thinking of the possibilities and intensity awaiting. 

He’s still a teenager unafraid to let out his inner-child. It’s who he is – a big kid enjoying a game he’d play year-round for free, except he’s talented enough to rise to the highest level of the sport.

“Looking ahead to next year, GG’s opportunity will be whatever he’s ready for,” Kleiman assured yet again while balancing patience and the endless possibilities for Jackson’s continued growth. “We’re certainly going to continue to push GG and challenge him. We all see what he's capable of doing. How that role continues to grow . . . that'll play itself out.”

For now, Jackson impatiently awaits his next chance to keep playing.

The schedule reveals his rookie season has officially ended.

But the seasoning of his development is a process that never ceases.&nbsp;

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MikeCheck: Grizzlies breakout rook GG Jackson eager for next phase of NBA development

MEMPHIS – Season-ending exit interviews for the Grizzlies typically provide some level of direction or clarity with where the franchise is headed entering the offseason.

In one big case, there seems to be more questions than answers.

That’s especially the case with the player at the center of the discussion. Jaren Jackson Jr.’s response earlier this week emphasized that notion.

The 6-foot-11, 250-pound versatile veteran was asked if he were ready to shift permanently to the middle at this stage of his career or whether the Grizzlies should acquire a more traditional center this offseason.

“Define traditional,” Jackson shot back. “That (term) doesn’t really mean anything at this point. Anybody who’s going to come in and produce the whole equation . . . Whatever is going to work with our group at that time (and) sync us a little more together is what's going to be the key here. Traditional, nontraditional, that means less and less every year.”

There, however, is little doubt about one thing as the Grizzlies venture into their offseason improvement plans. From the front office through the coaching staff and to the longest-tenured player on the Grizzlies, adding size and depth to the power rotation is a top priority.

The Grizzlies enter the offseason positioned to have a top-10 pick entering the May 12 NBA Draft Lottery to determine the order for June’s NBA Draft. The team has also been aggressive on the trade market in recent seasons around the draft, and that could be the case again this summer. In addition, the Grizzlies also have financial flexibility to acquire help when the NBA free-agency period opens in July.

Grizzlies president and general manager Zach Kleiman confirmed during Monday’s exit interviews that the team’s collection of draft capital, assets and resources will be used to bolster the team’s frontcourt depth.

Kleiman, however, was non-committal on whether that path forward with the power rotation would feature Jackson returning primarily to power forward or anchoring at center.

“I think it would be probably our best position if Jaren is playing (center),” Kleiman said of the long-term matchups Jackson could create in a playoff scenario moving forward. “When we look ahead, trying to get through several rounds of the playoffs against some teams, Jaren’s going to have to be the (center).”

Kleiman then considered the alternative, particularly the physical demands of the position and how the franchise can also benefit from having a bigger body share in the workload.

“That being said, from a roster-building standpoint, we see the value of having a more traditional – whatever you call it – big (guy),” Kleiman continued. “We’ve seen Jaren successful with those type of lineups as well. Our hope was that those (center) reps could be meaningful as we’re thinking about the context Jaren is going to have to be successful in for us to be the best team we can be in the playoffs.”

The Grizzlies missed the NBA postseason for the first time in four seasons, largely due to the extended injury absences of Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane and several others. With Jackson as the lone frontline starter and star player available most of the season, Memphis used the past four months to evaluate Jackson in various on-court roles. &nbsp; &nbsp;

After spending his first five NBA seasons exclusively at power forward, Jackson logged most of this past season at center to help the Grizzlies fill voids inside created by attrition. The Grizzlies traded veteran starter Steven Adams and reserves Xavier Tillman and David Roddy in February, and finished the season with Jackson literally taking on a larger role.

Although Jackson responded with some of the best production of his career offensively, the Grizzlies emerged from an injury-riddled, 27-55 season targeting more frontcourt bulk. In addition to playing both power forward and center throughout the season, Jackson also spent considerable time running the offense as a primary facilitator.

That comprehensive role led to Jackson averaging career highs in scoring (22.5), field-goal attempts (17.6), free-throw attempts and makes (5.1-6.3), assists (2.3) and steals (1.2). While Jackson considers himself “position-less,” the Grizzlies want to load up around him.

Power forward Brandon Clarke, who returned last month after a year-long rehab from Achilles surgery, is the only other power player on the roster whose contract extends beyond the upcoming 2024-25 season.

“So, we’re taking a lot of things into consideration going into the summer,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “You definitely need to complement everyone’s strengths out there and account for things that maybe someone needs from a big spot.”

Injuries contributed to most of the Grizzlies struggles this season. But some of the areas where the team saw the biggest drop-off from previous success were in the paint. In each of the three previous seasons, Memphis ranked among the NBA’s top teams in rebounding, offensive rebounding, second-chance scoring and points in the paint.

That dominant part of their game was aided by the presence of traditional centers alongside Jackson such as Adams and, before that, Jonas Valanciunas. This season, the Grizzlies were last among the NBA’s 30 teams in points in the paint and 24th in rebounding.

“Obviously, not having (Adams) really, really hurt us,” Clarke said. “I like seeing Jaren out there at (power forward) more, with another big man, and then me coming off the bench. That was kind of how it was the past four years. But we just really got to get healthy first. And we're going to get a good pick in the draft. So, I trust the front office with what they choose. But sounds like we need somebody big and somebody strong down there for us.”

Regardless how the team addresses the power rotation this offseason, Jackson vows to keep maximizing his versatility and flexibility. Over the past year, he took on the challenge of manning the position at center, a role that started during last summer’s stint with Team USA in the FIBA World Cup tournament.

After playing exclusively at center for the national team, shifting to that spot was relatively seamless during this NBA season. It’s all part of the experiment of expanding one’s game.

So, even when frontcourt help arrives this offseason, it’s not likely the Grizzlies will have Jackson boxed in at any particular spot.

“I definitely throw out the (position) numbers, and it depends on the game for me,” Jackson said of embracing his role. “There’s versatility. There’s bringing the ball up and running a play. There are just differences. I don’t think the game will ever go back to (traditional). So, whoever wants to contribute and wants to be here, that’s going to be the key.”

And that key to landing another post presence should unlock another level of potential around Jackson as the Grizzlies chart their way back into playoff contention next season.

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MikeCheck: Position-less Jackson not boxed in as Grizzlies seek to bolster power rotation

MEMPHIS – After enduring one of the most injury-riddled seasons in franchise history, the Grizzlies anticipate moving forward with a relatively clean bill of health.

“Fingers crossed, I think we’ll be able to have a good start to our summer with majority of the roster from a health standpoint,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “Hopefully, that’ll lead to great work. And come the start of training camp in October, we’re fully healthy, which is something we missed this year.”

Jenkins’ comments came Monday as the Grizzlies conducted exit interviews and charted next steps as the team heads into the offseason much earlier than in recent years.

The Grizzlies (27-55) fell outside of the NBA postseason for the first time in four years after faltering through one of the most painful – literally and figuratively – seasons in NBA history.&nbsp;

Memphis opened the season with superstar point guard Ja Morant serving a league suspension for the first 25 games. And it closed the season with Morant limited to just nine games and undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.

Among the positive developments that came out of Monday’s final team media session of the season was the revelation that Morant is progressing on schedule from the January surgery and is expected to resume basketball-related activities in about two months.

“It’s just attacking my rehab at a high level,” Morant said Monday in his first public comments since the first week of January. “Early on, it was tough. This was the first time with me having an injury that really sat me out for a season. That process was really hard. But as far as how I am mentally, that’s been motivating.”

Morant confirmed he plans to remain in Memphis most of the offseason as he continues to progress through rehab in anticipation of full clearance to resume basketball activities. Beyond Morant, the Grizzlies are confident that several other key players who finished the season on the injured list will be recovered and available for summer offseason workouts.

That list includes veteran starters and key rotation contributors such as Marcus Smart (finger), Desmond Bane (back), Derrick Rose (groin/back), Santi Aldama (foot), Ziaire Williams (back/hip) and Vince Williams Jr. (knee).

The Grizzlies finished the final games of the regular season with 13 players sitting out and on the injury report, although some were held out for maintenance and general recovery. The front office, coaching staff and players are eager to put behind them a season in which they established modern NBA records for attrition caused by wide-spread injuries.

The Grizzlies finished the season having used 33 players and 51 different starting lineups while enduring a combined 592 games lost to various player injuries along the way. Those absences never allowed the Grizzlies to gain any traction this season after they started 6-19 through the first 25 games Morant missed while serving the NBA-mandated suspension.

The goal now is to distance themselves from the injury bug and regroup for next season with a healthy core, a lottery pick entering June’s NBA Draft and the flexibility to address roster needs through trades and free agency.

The Grizzlies were coming off consecutive 50-win seasons and back-to-back, second-place finishes in the Western Conference standings as one of the NBA’s youngest teams. They are optimistic that Morant’s return to health, and the chance to build even more chemistry with Bane, Jackson, Smart and emerging talents in Williams Jr. and rookie GG Jackson will reestablish Memphis among the conference’s top contenders.

“We’ve been with each other for a while now, and we know what we can do when we’re all out there, so we have a lot of confidence in that,” said star big man Jaren Jackson Jr., who played 66 games as the lone veteran to suit up most of the season. “But we also have to take our games to a new level to win in the postseason as a unit.”

Jackson said conversations have already been had about maximizing the summer.

“I’m looking forward to a summer of work when I’m around them,” Jackson said of training with key players who missed significant time. “We’re always getting on each other and pushing each other. No one misses a day of (offseason) work around here. And if anyone even thinks of missing a day, everyone gets on each other about it. That’s what you need.”

The Grizzlies were only able to get a glimpse of their potential when Morant was available this season. Memphis went 6-3 in the games Morant played, including two thrilling road victories over the New Orleans Pelicans. One featured Morant’s winning shot at the buzzer.

A two-time All-Star and potential league MVP candidate, Morant said he tried to provide leadership and support throughout the season from the bench. But he also admitted nothing could replace what he can do for the team when he’s on the court and healthy.

Morant also acknowledged how much having a battle-tested veteran like Rose on the roster has helped steer him through the injury adversity.

“He’s pretty much a big brother . . . his locker is right beside me,” Morant said of Rose, a former MVP who had fought through multiple knee surgeries and injuries to last 15 years in the NBA. “He’s been big-time help for me. As I said, I never had an injury that sat me out for a season, and he’s had a couple. So being able to have him there and help me out, guide me through this process, was big-time.”

Grizzlies’ president and general manager Zach Kleiman has been encouraged with the approach Morant is taking at this stage of his recovery.

“Ja’s right on schedule – right on track, hitting everything he’s supposed to on that,” Kleiman said Monday. “He’s been very diligent with his work, and he’s been around the team, pouring in every day. He’s expected to be fully, fully cleared and have basketball reps well ahead of training camp. So, Ja’s in a great spot.”

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MikeCheck: With injury-riddled season behind, Grizzlies poised for healthy offseason reset

GG Jackson II scored a career-high 44 points, but the Memphis Grizzlies (27-55) fell to the Denver Nuggets (57-25) 126-111 in both teams’ final regular season game. The Nuggets, who swept the season series with Grizzlies (4-0), clinched the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.

Jackson II shot 17-of-36 from the field to record the second-highest scoring total by a teenager in NBA history and added career-high tying 12 rebounds for his second career double-double. Jake LaRavia added29 points, five rebounds and four assists. Scotty Pippen Jr. finished with 15 points and seven assists.

Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 21 points and six rebounds. Christian Braun posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.&nbsp; Nikola Jokic registered his 68th double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Aaron Gordon scored 15 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Denver went on a 13-4 run to end the second quarter, including nine unanswered points. The Nuggets led 66-54 at halftime. The Nuggets held the Grizzlies to two points through the first five minutes of the third quarter and led by as many as 26 points in the second half. &nbsp;

The Nuggets shot 51 percent from the field and registered 32 assists. Denver’s bench outscored the Grizzlies’ reserves 52-9.

The Grizzlies set NBA records this season with 33 different players appearing in a game and 51 unqiue starting lineups.

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Grizzlies fall to Nuggets in regular season finale, 126-111

The Los Angeles Lakers (46-35) rallied during the fourth quarter to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies (27-54) 123-120 on Friday at FedExForum. The Lakers won for the ninth time in their last 10 games.Lebron James recorded a game-high 37 points and nine rebounds, while Anthony Davis posted a double-double with 36 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Lakers. Rui Hachimura tallied 14 points and five rebounds. Austin Reaves contributed 13 points.The Lakers shot 34 free throws, including 17 for Davis and 11 for James, compared to 21 attempts for the Grizzlies.GG Jackson II led Memphis with 31 points. Scotty Pippen Jr. scored a season-high 28 points, six assists and four steals. Jordan Goodwin registered a double-double with a career-high 23 points and 17 rebounds. Jake LaRavia added 28 points and a career-high six assists after scoring a career-best 32 points Wednesday at Cleveland.Memphis’ starters combined for 116 of the team’s 120 points, a franchise record for a starting five.The Lakers closed the first quarter on an 8-0 run and led by as many as 13 in the second quarter before the Grizzlies used a 7-0 run with 1:29 in the half to cut the deficit to one point. The Lakers wrestled back and held a 68-64 lead at halftime.Memphis mounted a 13-2 run with 6:06 remaining in the third quarter to grab and eight-point advantage and led by as many as nine points in the period. A pair of free throws from LaRavia gave the Grizzlies a 119-118 lead with 1:06 in regulation, but James scored six unanswered points to give the Lakers a five-point lead in the final seconds.The Grizzlies host the Denver Nuggets in the season finale on Sunday, April 14 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM ESPN.

lakers-rally-past-grizzlies-123-120

Lakers rally past Grizzlies, 123-120

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