What Jaren Jackson Jr.’s return means for the Memphis Grizzlies

The up-and-coming Memphis Grizzlies currently have a 9-6 record, mostly thanks to Ja Morant creating highlight reels every night and Desmond Bane shooting the lights out game after game. For most of the season, though, the Grizzlies were missing their defensive anchor, Jaren Jackson Jr.

Jackson has not played since the 2022 playoffs and has undergone foot surgery since then. Second-year forward Santi Aldama took over Jackson’s power forward spot in the starting lineup and delivered a solid performance. He averaged almost 10 points and 6.2 rebounds in Jackson’s absence.

Jaren Jackson Jr. was sorely missed by the Memphis Grizzlies.

The big man’s absence was still evident, though, and hurtfully so on the defensive end. When we last saw Jackson play the previous season, he was named to the All-Defensive First Team and finished as a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award. At the same time, the Grizzlies as a team ranked sixth defensively. Prior to their most recent game against the New Orleans Pelicans, when Jackson made his return, they ranked 21st in that category.

From that standpoint, Jackson’s return is huge for the Grizzlies. He is a versatile defender who can protect the rim, guard players out on the perimeter, and easily switch in pick-and-roll situations. On help defense, he is great at lurking in the paint, waiting for shots to block. With Jackson on the court, Memphis allows 4.8 fewer points than without him.

Especially with Steven Adams, another giant, residing in the paint too, finishing at the rim is a nightmare for opposing teams. Sometimes, Jackson gets into foul trouble too early in the game, but having him on the court still takes a big defensive load off of everyone else.