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4 Memphis Grizzlies who must step up in Ja Morant’s absence

By Elaine Blum

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 26: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Five of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at FedExForum on April 26, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 26: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Five of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at FedExForum on April 26, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /
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The Memphis Grizzlies have high aspirations. They want to be the next big thing in the West, but they already fell short of that lofty goal this past season. Now, Ja Morant will be suspended for 25 games to start the season, so the rest of the team will have to set the stage for a more successful run without their superstar. This comes in addition to the fact that there is still a gaping Dillon-Brooks-shaped hole on the roster that desperately needs to be filled.

Between Morant and Brooks, the Grizzlies are losing around 40 points per game, and there is only so much the Grizzlies can expect from David Roddy and Zaire Williams at this point in their careers. Morant put his teammates in a tricky situation, forcing them to navigate two big obstacles at the same time and find success between them. So, let’s look at four Grizzlies players who must step up in his absence.

Grizzlies player #4: Tyus Jones

Tyus Jones is the most obvious pick here. Their starting point guard is out, so the backup has to step in. Jones has big shoes to fill, however. Last season, Morant averaged 26.2 points and 8.1 assists per game. Replacing that kind of production is tough.

Luckily, the Grizzlies have had to gather some experience playing without Morant over the past two seasons and have fared pretty well. In 2022–23, Jones averaged 16.4 points on efficient shooting, 8.1 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1.8 steals as a starter. Those are the numbers of a starting-level point guard on a contending team, but it is still a huge step down from Morant’s scoring. On the other hand, Jones is very careful with the ball and a better defender than Morant. He only averaged 1.5 turnovers per game as a starter, compared to Morant’s 3.4.

This is not the first time that Jones has had to fill in for Morant, but he will have to do it for an extended period this time around. He will have to be at his best to not only keep the team afloat but also to set a positive tone for a season that is starting on a negative note. The Grizzlies need Jones to show the same efficiency, ball security, and playmaking he has displayed before while ideally adding a couple of points scoring-wise.

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