The Memphis Grizzlies found themselves in a tough spot during their recent matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. Entering the fourth quarter trailing by just a single point, the team’s deficit quickly ballooned to 13 points within the first eight minutes. The Grizzlies bore the brunt of a series of unfortunate absences that left them scrambling to keep pace.
Absences and Injuries Take Their Toll
As the game unfolded, the Grizzlies were notably missing key players during crucial stretches. Star guard Ja Morant was absent from the court for much of the fourth quarter, while Jaren Jackson Jr. also spent over four minutes on the bench. The team’s woes were compounded by injuries to Desmond Bane, who exited early with an oblique injury, and Marcus Smart, who left the game due to a right ankle injury.
With these significant setbacks, Head Coach Taylor Jenkins faced the daunting challenge of juggling a lineup riddled with absences. "There's a lot of things on the table," Jenkins commented. "We have guys getting hurt in the middle of the game, so we're having to adjust. We're having guys out in the starting lineup, in and out, all that, so that kind of changes things."
Strategic Adjustments Under Pressure
Despite the mounting challenges, Jenkins remained resolute in his strategic approach. During a period from the 9:20 mark to the 5:58 mark in the fourth quarter, Memphis opted for an all-bench lineup, reflecting the team’s depth and Jenkins' willingness to adapt under pressure. The Grizzlies have consistently utilized an 11- or 12-man rotation throughout their first five games, highlighting their strategic depth and flexibility.
Remarkably, Memphis and the Golden State Warriors are the only two teams in the league not averaging at least one player with 30 minutes per game. Santi Aldama leads the Grizzlies in playing time with an average of 27.7 minutes per game, underscoring the team’s commitment to sharing the load. This approach, however, also reflects the ongoing process of building chemistry and managing player minutes wisely. Ja Morant himself noted, "You got to be smart. You don't want to go throw me in there for 36 minutes. God willing, nothing happens, but you just got to be smart."
A Grueling Early Schedule
The Grizzlies’ early season performance is further contextualized by an intense schedule. The team embarked on a demanding six games in nine days at the season’s onset, managing to maintain a 2-3 record amidst the adversity. This hectic schedule likely contributed to Memphis ranking second in the league for offensive pace, a testament to their spirited, yet strategic, playing style.
Building Towards Improvement
As the Grizzlies navigate these early challenges, Jenkins remains focused on fostering team cohesion despite the disruptions. "Every game is presenting a new opportunity to try to find chemistry," he asserted, underscoring the ongoing nature of roster and strategy development. To that end, Jenkins has been closely monitoring Morant’s integration into the lineup, given his preseason absence. "We’re working with him and the medical team about how we want to deploy him over this stretch right now," Jenkins observed.
The crux of Jenkins’ efforts lies in managing player health while nurturing on-court chemistry, a delicate balance that will be crucial as the season progresses. The Grizzlies’ early trials may indeed serve as a crucible through which a more seasoned and resilient team emerges, equipped to tackle the challenges of a long NBA season.