The 2025 preseason wasn't kind to the Memphis Grizzlies, but they avoided a winless slate with their victory over the Miami Heat on October 17th. However, the preseason finale win was bittersweet as they lost guard Ty Jerome to a calf injury in the first quarter and have to await further evaluation when they return to Memphis.
While an additional backcourt injury is something to worry about, the Grizzlies' young wings stepped up in the fourth quarter to make Iisalo's playing rotation hard to decipher. Two-way wing Olivier-Maxence Prosper seemed to move ahead of GG Jackson in the playing rotation with 24 minutes played against the Heat after not playing in their previous game.
His energy was infectious throughout his minutes played on the defensive end, and he led the team with a +23 plus/minus. But GG Jackson looked like the player who made All-Rookie second team two seasons ago when he got his opportunity again in the fourth quarter against the Heat.
GG Jackson might have played his way into the opening night playing rotation
The third-year forward, who is still the youngest player on the team, has struggled during most of the preseason trying to find his rhythm in the new system. GG Jackson's scoring prowess is known, but defensive struggles have been an issue. After not playing the first three quarters against the Heat, Jackson played the entire fourth quarter and spearheaded the effort to outscore the Heat by 17 points to secure the win.
GG Jackson scored 13 points on 5-6 shooting, including 3-3 from three, but his defensive effort is what stood out as he also secured one block and one steal during the final quarter. He is one of the most intriguing players on the roster this season as he enters a team-option year on his contract after the season.
Coach Tuomas Iisalo sang his praises during the offseason and vowed to coach him harder than anyone who has ever coached him. When it appeared that he was dead in the water, he delivered his best performance of the preseason when he got his opportunity again.
The Grizzlies' starting wings are set with Jaylen Wells and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and the battle behind them just got more interesting with the preseason finale performances of GG Jackson, Cedric Coward, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper. If Ty Jerome does have to miss any time, GG Jackson can provide the offensive void that would be left behind.