Memphis Grizzlies: 3 implications of Jaren Jackson Jr.’s late April return

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s return date holds playoff implications for the Grizzlies

As previously stated, this Grizzlies team is no longer in rebuild mode. They have their core pieces in place and they’ll be looking to make playoff runs. An NBA Championship isn’t expected right away, but it’s time to start being competitive.

Through the first half of the season, the Grizzlies were playing to stay afloat. And as they were hovering around .500, they were doing a good enough job. But with this update to Jaren Jackson Jr.’s projected return, things will have to be different for the Grizzlies.

This is no longer a team that can slack off on certain nights. We’ve seen them play unmotivated games, leading to losses by large margins.

With Jackson Jr. out for another month, this young team is going to have to do it themselves. They’ve been securely in the play-in conversation but being in the conversation doesn’t hold as much value as it did when Jackson Jr.’s return date was shortly after the All-Star break.

In all likelihood, this team won’t see JJJ back in a Grizzlies uniform until they’ve played over 85% of their regular-season games.

With a dangerous Golden State Warriors team breathing down their neck, every win counts for this Jackson Jr.-less Grizzlies team.