The Memphis Grizzlies, despite dealing with various short-term injuries to key players this season, have found a consistent performer in Jaren Jackson Jr. After missing the first two games of the season due to a hamstring strain, Jackson has been a regular in the starting lineup, filling multiple categories on the stat sheet.
Grizzlies’ Situation:
Although Ja Morant is the team’s established star, Jackson has made significant strides this season, leading the squad in scoring with 23.4 points per game. He’s become a force in the paint, excelling in isolation situations, making the Grizzlies a serious threat in the Western Conference. Jackson will lead the Grizzlies in a conference showdown against the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.
The Grizzlies have won four straight and 10 of their last 11 games. Jackson has been dominant, scoring 20 or more points in nine straight games and recording three consecutive 30-point games. He hit seven 3-pointers in a win against Milwaukee on Sunday and added four more in Wednesday’s 138-107 victory at Toronto, where he scored 32 points in 26 minutes. Jackson earned Western Conference Player of the Week honors for January 20-26, the first such recognition of his career.
With Jackson playing at a high level and Morant recently returning from a right shoulder injury, the Grizzlies are well-positioned for a strong playoff push. Desmond Bane, another key member of Memphis’ core trio, is expected back from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for the past two games.
Thunder’s Situation:
The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s scoring leader at 32.7 points per game, have spent most of the season atop the conference standings. They enter the game with the NBA’s best record and a 6 1/2-game lead over the second-place Grizzlies in the West.
Oklahoma City has won four games in a row and will play the second game of a back-to-back set after Friday’s 121-109 victory over Toronto. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points in just three quarters, but the best news for the Thunder was the return of 7-foot-1 center Chet Holmgren.
Holmgren, who had been out since November 10, was limited to 22 minutes but contributed four points, five rebounds, four blocks, and two steals. Holmgren averaged 16.4 points and 8.7 rebounds before suffering the injury 10 games into the season. He started Friday night alongside fellow big man Isaiah Hartenstein.
Key Players:
- Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, Desmond Bane
- Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein
