3 reasons why you shouldn’t overreact to the Grizzlies losing in Ja Morant’s return
The Memphis Grizzlies are still combating tons of injuries
It seems like just about everyone on this team has missed time on the court for one reason or another.
If you look at the stat sheet, you’ll see that’s true. Only Steven Adams and Desmond Bane have played in all 32 games this season.
Ja Morant, despite being injured for a long stretch, has played in more games this season (20) than Dillon Brooks (18), who was unavailable for the first month or so of the season.
Guys like Brandon Clarke, Ziaire Williams, and Sam Merrill have missed a ton of time this season. Clarke and Williams, two regular rotation players, have not played in a combined 26 games so far this season.
The team is still trying to find ways to utilize the players they have available, which will continue to ebb and flow as players enter and exit the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols.
The Grizzlies bench has really come around since Morant has been out and the players have had a next-man-up mentality. As long as they maintain that mentality, the team will be in a good position while the starters iron out their chemistry.