Memphis Grizzlies Open Practice Takeaways

The Memphis Grizzlies entered the main FedExForum court for the first time this season in front of a decent crowd for open practice. Marcus Smart did not participate in the open practice due to minor abdominal soreness, though he is not expected to miss the beginning of the regular season. His preseason status is unknown. Ja Morant was also not available for open practice.

As for practice itself, the team used the open portion to warm up with some drills and shooting. Following that, the teams scrimmaged 5-on-5 for two 10-minute halves. The blue team started Derrick Rose, Desmond Bane, David Roddy, Santi Aldama, and Steven Adams, while the white team started John Konchar, Luke Kennard, Ziaire Williams, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Xavier Tillman. Those groups played the entire first half, and the pace was mostly NBA All-Star Game-like.

It was great to see Steven Adams, although in a knee brace, participate in the scrimmage, and he looked good moving up and down the court. Adams even made a corner three late in the first half. Santi Aldama was the most impressive player as he continued his progression from impressive FIBA play by making a couple of threes, running the floor, catching lobs, and even getting a block on the defensive end on a Jaren Jackson Jr. layup attempt.

The blue team switched to an entirely different five for the second half, which consisted of Jacob Gilyard, Shaquille Harrison, Mychal Mulder, Jake LaRavia, and Kenneth Lofton Jr. The white team started the second half with G.G. Jackson and Matthew Hurt as the only replacements, as Luke Kennard, John Konchar, Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman, and Ziaire Williams rotated in throughout. Vince Williams Jr. was available for the white team, and even warmed up, but did not play in the scrimmage.

To end practice, the team split for a couple of shooting contests before doing giveaways to the fans to finish it out. The Grizzlies begin preseason play tomorrow night at 7 PM against the Indiana Pacers at the FedExForum.