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

The Memphis Grizzlies may suffer team chemistry issues at the end of the year

The second implication goes hand-in-hand with the first. This Grizzlies team is likely going to be in a dogfight for the last play-in spot. They have talented competition with the Warriors and Pelicans just behind them in the standings.

That said, the Western Conference is competitive. The play-in series isn’t going to be a breeze, and the Grizzlies will have to play a pair of flawless games to get into the playoffs.

So how does this tie into Jaren Jackson Jr.’s return?

The initial expectation was that Jackson Jr. would return in the middle of the year, giving this team plenty of time to settle in and build team chemistry as they head toward the playoffs.

That’s not the case anymore.

In fact, based on his projected return date, Jackson Jr. will only play in about ten games with his team before they will be competing for a championship. This is a net positive situation but has some negative implications.

Jackson Jr. isn’t going to return to the lineup and score 30 points in his first game. Coming off of a brutal knee injury, it’s going to take him some time to settle in.

Add that to the fact that this team has developed an entirely different game plan to survive without him, and this squad is destined to have some chemistry issues at the end of the season. It’s inevitable and the Grizzlies will try to minimize these issues.

All of that said, this should still be an objectively better team with Jaren Jackson Jr. back in the lineup. Look forward to good basketball with a handful of sloppy plays in May.