The worst-case scenario for the Memphis Grizzlies' season arrived after the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans on April 2nd. They woke up on April 3rd in a three-way tie with the Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves, with them falling to the eighth seed due to the tiebreaker rules.
In a three-way tie scenario, the teams are ranked based on the best winning percentage in all games played among the tied teams. The Grizzlies are 2-3 in their games against the Timberwolves and Clippers, with one matchup remaining with Minnesota at home on April 10th.
Losers of their last four games, the Grizzlies hit the road to take on the last team they defeated before their seven of eight games losses in the Miami Heat. The Heat are currently trending in the opposite direction of the Grizzlies with a six-game winning streak, so getting a victory will not be easy.
Their victory over the Golden State Warriors in Jimmy Butler's return on March 25th gave them a boost, while the Grizzlies are searching for answers after losing to that same Warriors team on April 1st. The biggest takeaway from the Grizzlies' loss to the Warriors is a problem from one of its stars that has reared its ugly head once again.
"He's (Jaren Jackson Jr.) too good to still be getting in foul trouble" - Draymond Green
Warriors forward Draymond Green responded candidly when asked about Jimmy Butler drawing the sixth foul on Jaren Jackson Jr. to foul him out of the game with 1:55 remaining in a 123-122 game. The Warriors ended the game on an 11-3 run after he fouled out, effectively ending the Grizzlies' hopes.
Draymond Green is a student of the game and has a relationship with Jackson Jr. as fellow Michigan St. alums. He expressed his disappointment in the fact that Jaren still gets in foul trouble in big games during his seventh season, especially the fouls he picks up away from the play.
He even mentioned the play when Jaren picked up an uncalled-for fifth foul after missing a three-point shot on a loose ball after Golden State got the rebound. This marked the fifth game this season that Jaren Jackson Jr. fouled out with a couple of others that limited his minutes because of foul trouble.
Jackson Jr. has arguably been the Grizzlies' best player this season with Ja Morant's inconsistency of being available, but his biggest problem throughout his career has remained. This season remains his best season in fouls per game (3.4) but it has been more noteworthy in some of their biggest games against teams they are struggling against.
With six games remaining and the Grizzlies in must-win territory for their playoff sake, Jaren has to get control of his foul situation quickly for Memphis to have a chance. His importance to the team is at an all-time high, and when opposing players can speak to that it means that he has to make the necessary change to give his team the best chance to win.