Last Week: Lost to Dallas Mavericks 102-92, Beat LA Clippers 122-94, Lost to LA Clippers 119-99
This Week: 2/28 at Houston Rockets, 3/2 at Washington Wizards, 3/4 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
This was always bound to be a tough week for the Memphis Grizzlies facing meetings with the Dallas Mavericks and twice with the LA Clippers. Walking away with a single blowout victory has to feel somewhat good at least.
Justice Winslow also returned to the lineup, another small victory for the team. Winslow was not quite impactful but that was to be expected in just his first three appearances for the Grizzlies and his first games in more than 13 months. Bringing Winslow up to speed will take time, something the Grizzlies have plenty of.
Ja Morant was quite good this week, averaging 19.3 points, 7.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Unfortunately for this version of the Memphis Grizzlies, good will not be good enough. Morant would need to be transcendent to overcome the injury issues this team has faced. Currently, that is just not what he is bringing to the table.
That is not a criticism of Morant; rather, it is a clarification of the expectations fans should have had coming into this season. The Grizzlies are fun and exciting because they are one of the most promising young teams in the NBA. But youth and injury issues is a quick recipe to find yourself on the outside looking in on the Western Conference playoff picture.