Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr.’s return leaves time for playoff push

The idea of Jaren Jackson Jr. returning to the Memphis Grizzlies this season almost seems like a myth.

His return has been talked about throughout the course of the entire season. At first, he was supposed to return after the All-Star break, but that never happened. As a result, he has become a boogeyman for this team.

The difference here is that Jackson Jr. will serve as a boogeyman for the rest of the NBA and a positive for the Grizzlies in his return.

On Sunday, Grizzlies PR‘s injury report listed Jackson Jr. as “Doubtful” for the first time all season. While “Doubtful” may not seem very promising at all, it’s a huge step forward after he has been listed as “OUT” for the entirety of the year thus far.

Memphis Grizzlies Jaren Jackson Jr.’s return is coming at the perfect time

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s return, or at least the implication of his near return, is coming at the perfect time for a beat-up Grizzlies team that hasn’t played at full power, even without JJJ, in weeks.

That said, this team has powered on, with each individual member of this roster seeing drastic improvements since last season. If someone told you that JJJ’s absence would have extended through 55 games in the 2021 season, nobody would have predicted that the Grizz would be sitting at 29-26 at the 8-spot in the Western Conference. But here we are.

The Grizzlies were in desperate need of him, and like a superhero, he will come swooping in to save this team as they head toward the NBA Playoffs. Here’s where it starts.