When: Monday, January 15th, 5:00 PM CST
Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
How to Watch/Stream: TNT, BallySports Southeast
Three and four. Sequential numbers yes, but those numbers have more meeting today. Nothing weighty or prophetic or anything like that… That would be silly.
But to the Grizzlies those numbers are not silly… As three was the number of players Memphis lost to injury last week. Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane. The team announced that each would miss at least six weeks.
And four… Well four is the number of games the Grizzlies are behind the Warriors. At this moment in the Western Conference standings Memphis is four games back.
Golden State sits at twelfth with 18 wins. Memphis? Four games back with 14 at thirteenth.
Sure the battle for 12th and 13th isn’t one of particular note but between these two rivals? And believe me that’s what these teams are at this point—rivals—so expect this to be a banger of a game.
Throw all this in a crock pot… And you’re looking at your more than significant game for the Grizzlies. And one you’re not going to want to miss.
…Seriously? Who’s Hurt Now?
I could come up with a non sequitur here about the Grizzlies injury luck… But I’m so tired at this point… So instead you’re getting the Grizzlies own update.
…sigh…
Go Youths Go!
Barring any other injury news—not sure we can take anymore—or signings… Memphis will have eight guys. Eight active players that will be able to suit up against Golden State.
That’s… Not ideal…
And of those eight, only two of them—Luke Kennard and John Konchar—are over the age of 25. They’re each a whopping 27 years old.
The average age of the other six? Round abouts 22 and a half.
That’s… Also not ideal…
And yet, the Grizzlies are going to have to make due.
Look, I’m almost 34 years old… But feel like 43 if I’m honest. 22 and a half… That’s young to me—I get worried.
But for their part, the Memphis youth movement is doing what they can to not go down. At least without a fight. Look no further than the youths’ performances against the Knicks Saturday nigh. Of the sextet five of them hit double figures.
If you need to find something positive amid the struggles of the Grizzlies season… The play of GG Jackson II in particular is something I find to be quite the fire this team will need in the future.
Now is this something they’ll be able to continue? Well… With the unfortunate injury news above they’re going to have to try. Like it or not, tonight’s game is going to be quite the gauge of what these kids have in them.
They’re likely to get Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama back which is… Nice…. But neither are going to be an absolute answered prayer. They will provide excellent support to the young’uns though. And despite everything they—and we—are going to be happy for it.
Photo Credit: (Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports)