Tuesday night marked another crushing loss for the Memphis Grizzlies at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder. For the second time in three days, the Grizz marched into Paycom Center and exited with a loss in a game they never really had a chance in. They now sit in a 2-0 series hole, with any far-fetched dreams of upsetting Oklahoma City all but extinguished.
The fate of this season for the Grizzlies, in reality, was sealed far before they even drew the first-round matchup with the Thunder. Back on Feb. 27, Memphis still held the second seed in the Western Conference standings. But when they continued racking up losses down the stretch in March and April, it opened the door for a full-fledged free-fall into the play-in range. And now, here we are. With the Grizzlies' season possibly just two more games from being finished.
It wasn't supposed to end like this for this team. But most importantly, this wasn't how how anyone envisioned this season going for Ja Morant. After playing in just nine games a season ago, this was supposed to be the year Morant put himself back on top.
Instead, it was another year marred by injuries and inconsistent play. Memphis' front office certainly deserves scrutiny for the level of team they put around Ja this season, and injuries obviously can only be prevented to a certain degree. But let's just say it: Morant hasn't been quite good enough.
Morant doesn't currently look like a #1 on a championship team
The 2021-22 season now seems like an eternity ago. That was the year where Ja truly put himself on the map as one of the most exciting young players in the NBA, and his achievements made everyone believe he was on his way to undeniable superstardom.
It was that season three years ago where Morant earned All-NBA second team honors, won the Most Improved Player award, and earned his first All-Star selection. With such a huge year three under his belt, it was assumed he would only be going upward from there.
Instead, it's been a rocky road to try to get back to that same level of production. Ja has had his moments. We've seen some of the same electrifying dunks, up-and-under layups with incredible hang time, and savvy playmaking ability. Morant is still a game-changing talent, and there's been reason to think he'll level up once again. But for now, something is still missing.
It feels hard to say Morant looks like a player who could be the top option on a championship roster as of right now. What that leaves Memphis with is an uncertain view of their future. Do they trust that Ja will return to his All-NBA form?
The answer to that question will determine what the path forward looks like for the Grizzlies. The West remains a total juggernaut, and battling your way through this stacked conference to the NBA Finals will require a more well-rounded roster. But at the end of the day, Ja Morant being all he's truly capable of will also be a necessity.