Joakim Noah has been one of seven Memphis Grizzlies sidelined due to injury, but his status was upgraded ahead of Wednesday’s road game versus the Portland Trail Blazers.
One of the biggest success stories of the 2018-19 NBA season in favor of the Memphis Grizzlies absolutely includes the addition of Joakim Noah via the free-agent pool. Though he did not join the team until 23 games into the schedule, Noah has made the most of the opportunity.
Joakim Noah has proved that he remains to be a consistent valuable contributor in the NBA. His game really has not changed, though his role has. Noah has been able to produce when given an extended minutes assignment. Likewise, he has been comfortable in lesser roles and has made the most of his time in Memphis.
The relationship between the Memphis Grizzlies and Joakim Noah has been a perfect fit. It was a low-risk signing that has paid major dividends for the Grizz, even in a lost season where they currently sit in 13th in the NBA’s Western Conference. His hustle and energy has made Memphis more competitive. He has helped win games and has kept the Grizzlies in additional games. Plus, his presence has aided with filling seats inside the Grindhouse.
With five games remaining on the Memphis Grizzlies’ schedule, Joakim Noah has appeared in 42 total games this season. Within these 42 contests, Noah has notched four points-rebounds double-doubles, 11 instances of double-figure scoring, and 19 games of six or more rebounds.
Though Joakim has endured some absences — both injury-related and non-injury-related, he has made a difference. It was an excellent free-agent signing on Memphis’ behalf. His real impact may not be displayed with the largest numbers in the box score, but behind the scenes — via advanced statistics — Noah has been one of the best players on the Grizzlies’ roster in 2018-19.
Of 27 different names to have logged regular season game action with Memphis this season, Joakim Noah ranks third in Player Efficiency Rating (PER) at 18.6, behind only Jonas Valanciunas (24.4) and Mike Conley (21.5). Noah also ranks third on the team in offensive rebounding percentage, second in defensive rebounding percentage, second in total rebounding percentage, third in blocks percentage, and second in win shares per 48 minutes.
To say the least, the Grizzlies have received a lot of bang for their buck. Joakim’s contract was only for one season in length. He is set to hit the open market once NBA Free-Agency begins in the offseason. His success as a 12-year veteran backup center will likely land him a larger deal for the 2019-20 NBA season. This means Noah could very well leave Memphis and don a different uniform in a matter of months.
As Joakim Noah has been sidelined with “right knee soreness” for five of the Memphis Grizzlies’ past six games, it has been looking like No. 55 had played in his last game of the season. There is not much for the Grizzlies to be playing for, after all. Plus, Memphis has six other players currently sidelined due to injury, not including a day-to-day Mike Conley. These other six are expected to be done for the season anyway.
.@memgrizz injury report, April 3 vs @trailblazers: pic.twitter.com/HlR8iGruGW
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) April 2, 2019
On Tuesday — approximately 24 hours since the Memphis Grizzlies announced Jonas Valanciunas would miss the remainder of the season — a slight change in the injury report would be great news. Oh, how timely it was. As the team was down to just one true option at the center position in sophomore Ivan Rabb, help appears to be on the way. Again.
It is the reemergence of Joakim Noah. Ahead of Wednesday’s road matchup versus the Portland Trail Blazers, Noah’s status has been lifted from “out” to “questionable.” It will be worth keeping an eye on in the hours leading up to tip-off (9:00 PM Central Time).
If Noah plays, it will keep the Grizzlies competitive against the West’s third-best team, which just lost its best option at center to a gruesome season-ending injury. If he continues to remain out, it will give ample opportunity to Ivan Rabb, but it could be a long night for Memphis, especially if Rabb gets into early foul trouble.
With as well as Joakim Noah has played this season, he and the fans deserve some more burn on the court. Without much to play toward in the final five games of the season, these moments make a losing season bearable for those in Memphis, Tennessee.