Jaren Jackson Jr. had an outstanding offensive season last year, and he might be set to elevate his game even further this year.
The Memphis star forward put up a season-high 39 points in Friday’s victory over the Washington Wizards and is looking for another strong performance when the Grizzlies visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.
Jackson made five 3-pointers, also a season-best, and dominated the interior as Memphis routed the visiting Wizards 128-104.
Jackson stepped into the primary role with point guard Ja Morant sidelined due to a right hip injury and shooting guard Desmond Bane (oblique) still out.
Morant sustained his injury during Wednesday’s 131-114 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The Grizzlies announced Saturday that he is week-to-week after suffering a posterior hip subluxation (without dislocation) and multiple Grade 1 pelvic muscle strains.
With Morant out, Memphis will again rely on Jackson, who is averaging 22 points and shooting 55.9 percent from the field in eight games.
After missing the first two games due to a hamstring strain sustained during the team’s first practice, the 25-year-old Jackson has performed well.
Friday’s effort marked his second 30-point game and the third time in the past four games that he scored 20 or more points. Last season, Jackson averaged 22.5 points in 66 games.
Scotty Pippen Jr. also contributed on Friday with his first career triple-double. He recorded 11 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds while starting against Washington.
The Grizzlies have won four of their past five games, with the victories coming by margins of 23, 17, 17, and 24 points.
Memphis opens a three-game road trip with a stop in Portland, where the Trail Blazers begin a four-game homestand.
Portland is coming off a 127-102 road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a game that saw big man Robert Williams III return to the court after missing over a year due to a major knee injury.
Williams scored 13 points in 17 minutes off the bench, making 4 of his 5 field-goal attempts and all four of his free throws.
Williams’ return bolsters the Trail Blazers’ frontcourt, which includes veteran starter Deandre Ayton and first-round pick Donovan Clingan.
Portland also has more versatility at guard with Shaedon Sharpe back from a shoulder injury. Sharpe scored six points on 2-of-8 shooting in 21 minutes against Minnesota in his second game of the season.
In his first game, Sharpe tallied 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting in 20 minutes during a 118-105 road loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.
The Trail Blazers went 3-1 against Memphis last season.
