Memphis Grizzlies: Tyler Dorsey Shows His Potential Despite Loss Against The Orlando Magic

The Memphis Grizzlies have been much more exciting since the trade deadline and Tyler Dorsey is one of the reasons why. He had a big performance in Orlando despite the loss.

The Memphis Grizzlies acquired Tyler Dorsey at the trade deadline and he has already shown how good he can be despite limited opportunity. His ability to make plays was on full display in this loss to the Orlando Magic.

The Grizzlies wanted to get younger at the NBA trade deadline and one of their deals was with the Atlanta Hawks as they sent Shelvin Mack in return for Dorsey. Mack didn’t play a game for them though as he was waived and would later sign with the Charlotte Hornets.

They made some other deals for guys such as Avery Bradley and Jonas Valanciunas that get most of the credit, but the addition of Dorsey could prove to be just as valuable. For a team that doesn’t have a lot of young pieces to build around, they are happy to get anyone who is young and talented.

He has had some good moments in previous games, but against Orlando, he put in all together. He had started to get larger minutes after so many injuries for Memphis and he was rewarded with his first start with the Grizzlies. Dorsey hadn’t even scored double-figures since coming to Memphis and he topped that in a big way as he set a career-high in scoring.

Dorsey played extremely well in this game, but he did more than just score the ball. He finished with 29 points, 9 assists, and 3 rebounds. With Mike Conley out due to injury, they needed somebody to step up and Dorsey filled that role.

He went 11-19 from the field including 5-10 from three-point range. His efficient scoring output is something he can continue to build on for the next ten games. while the Grizzlies are still trying to win games to convey the pick, they aren’t going to go all out to win games so expect Conley to sit out another game or two.

Dillon Brooks is certainly happy to see his former college teammate put up a big performance on the Grizzlies. They had a lot of success together at Oregon and now they’re looking to do the same together in Memphis.

In his first ten games with Memphis, he was averaging just 4.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. He had just four assists with the Grizzlies in his first ten games with the team but he had an impressive nine in Orlando which shows he can also make plays for others.

After having good moments throughout some of those games it was good to see him put it all together for 48 minutes. It would’ve been even better if he knocked down the game-winner at the end of regulation or knocked down the tying free-throws later in overtime, but he still played well so there are plenty of positives to take away from his performance.

The last games are going to be crucial for him as he looks to lock up a roster spot as well as a spot in the rotation for next season. With guys such as Kyle Anderson, C.J. Miles, and Avery Bradley likely done for the season he needs to take advantage of his extended minutes.

This is a team that could have an opening at the backup point guard spot next season. It is very possible Conley gets traded this summer which could push Delon Wright into the starting lineup. They will have to decide whether or not they’re comfortable with Wright as a starter but either way, there will be minutes available.

Dorsey can be a good player since he can play at both guard positions. In today’s NBA the majority of guards can but with his playmaking and scoring ability, he is a backup guard. He doesn’t need to play a big role every night, but he can still be valuable.

His role for next season could even be just a few minutes a night, with a chance for extended minutes when injuries or foul trouble occurs. If he wants a large role next season he has to play well to end this season, and he got that off to a good start with a career night against the Magic.