Memphis Grizzlies: 5 biggest concerns heading into Game 5 vs Timberwolves

No. 3: Can the Memphis Grizzlies depend on Jaren Jackson Jr. in Game 5?

There have been fewer disappointments for the Grizzlies in the playoffs than Jaren Jackson Jr. He’s frequently been called the second-best player on this team, but in this series, he hasn’t been playing good enough to be considered in the top eight.

His offensive rating is 92.3 in the first round, which places him No. 8 out of 10 players on the team who have played enough possessions to qualify.

Back-up forward Brandon Clarke has outplayed Jaren Jackson in nearly every way in this series. Clarke leads the team in offensive rating with 149.3.

Jackson is the league-leader in blocks per game, but he’s stuck in habitual foul trouble. He has yet to play more than 27 minutes in a game in the playoffs this season.

Fans shouldn’t expect things to change unless Jackson can gamble less, the referees stop calling as many fouls or Jackson suddenly finds his three-point stroke. He’s currently 6 of 19 from beyond the arc in this series, trailing Desmond Bane (19 3FGM), Dillon Brooks (7 3FGM), and Tyus Jones (7 3FGM).