The past week was kind to the Memphis Grizzlies as they returned two of their most important pieces in superstar point guard Ja Morant and Sixth Man of the Year candidate Santi Aldama from shoulder and ankle injuries, respectively. They also inch closer to bringing back young wings GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr., who have been practicing and participating in pregame shoot-around with the team.
Although the return of Ja Morant and Santi Aldama didn't result in a victory against the current Western Conference second-seeded Houston Rockets in their return game last Thursday, they responded with a clutch road win at the Minnesota Timberwolves two nights later. After a 2-1 week, the Grizzlies shifted places in the new Power Rankings but remain in the same area as they have been for the last month.
NBA.com: 5th
The Grizzlies had three games against current Western Conference playoff foes and ended the week with a winning record. One victory came against a Dallas Mavericks team playing without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but the Grizzlies also missed Ja Morant, Santi Aldama, and others in that game. Their winning record helped them rise one spot in the NBA.com Power Rankings into the top five.
The Grizzlies missed many opportunities down the stretch against the Houston Rockets on Thursday, not making a clutch basket in their four-point defeat. They made up for it by making four of their six clutch shot attempts to take down the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
Their victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves gave the Grizzlies their first close win against a Western Conference team over .500 to help their case for their rise. The Grizzlies have an opportunity to avenge their loss to the Houston Rockets with a battle set at Houston on January 13th.
ClutchPoints: 7th
The Grizzlies' winning record last week wasn't enough for them to avoid a one-spot fall to 7th in the ClutchPoints Power Rankings. Their defense has struggled in their past seven games, as evidenced by their 24th ranking in defensive rating during this span.
As good as the offense has been for the Grizzlies this season, their defense remained top five in the league for the majority of the season and remains at number five after this tough stretch. With an upcoming three-game road week on tap this week, the Grizzlies have an opportunity to return to their expectations on the defensive end against of couple of Western Conference playoff contenders in the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.
Bleacher Report: 6th
The NBA is at its midseason point with the Grizzlies being two games away from the official halfway point of their schedule with 39 games currently played. Bleacher Report released their midseason Power Rankings ahead of the Grizzlies' victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a number six ranking.
The Grizzlies are better with Ja Morant on the court despite their -7 plus/minus in his return against the Houston Rockets. He struggled for the majority of their victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves but made two clutch baskets, including the game-winner, and finished with a +1 plus/minus.
Memphis is firmly listed among the NBA's best teams and Ja Morant's ability to remain on the court will determine how high they rank. Jaren Jackson Jr. has held down the scoring load for the team this season but needs his partner beside him to make the Grizzlies a lethal team.