Coming off a 1-2 three-game week between the last group of NBA Power Rankings and this week's iterations, the Grizzlies find themselves with an 8-6 record through 14 games. Their victory over the Denver Nuggets at home last night snapped a two-game losing streak on their west coast road trip in the state of California to the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
While the team had a tough task to win those two road games, some players returned to the lineup to lessen the injury report with Marcus Smart returning last Wednesday against the Lakers and Desmond Bane and Vince Williams Jr. returning against the Warriors last Friday night. However, Marcus Smart missed last night's game against the Nuggets with an illness, Zach Edey suffered an ankle injury against the Nuggets, and the team awaits Ja Morant's injury update today.
Currently, the Grizzlies are tied for 7th in the Western Conference standings with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings, just three games behind the number one-seeded Golden State Warriors. After making their way into the top 10 of the NBA.com power rankings last week, here's where the Grizzlies stand this week:
NBA.com: 10th
The Grizzlies' 1-2 week cost them two spots in the NBA.com power rankings as they rank below their three opponents from last week. The Los Angeles Lakers moved just ahead of the Grizzlies to number nine while the team the Grizzlies beat and play again tomorrow is ranked at number eight (Denver Nuggets).
The takeaways from NBA.com included the Grizzlies winning most of their games in blowout fashion as seven of their eight wins have come by at least 13 points. Their only close victory came in their first game against the Utah Jazz, which was a 126-124 win. Meanwhile, five of the team's six losses have been by two possessions or less.
The NBA.com power rankings also brought up Desmond Bane's return and how he, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Ja Morant have only played 18 minutes together this season through two games. The Grizzlies' dominance in the paint continues to be a strength for the team that is in a stretch of seven out of their next eight games being at home.
ClutchPoints: 9th
The drop from seventh to ninth continued for the Grizzlies in the ClutchPoints power rankings. ClutchPoints mentioned how the Grizzlies' injuries continue to impact the team's chance at consistency while also commending the job they have done despite the injury influx.
The eventual return of Ja Morant with the other healthy bodies that have returned recently will only help the team as they navigate through the tough Western Conference. ClutchPoints gave Zach Edey some good words and mentioned that his true potential will be unlocked once Morant returns.