The Grizzlies fanbase has been having constant debate over head coach Tuomas Iisalo's playing rotation and minutes distribution this season. He implores a style that promotes players playing the hardest they can in short increments before subbing in a new group of at least two to three players on most nights.
That style has supposedly limited the Grizzlies' stars in the eyes of many in the fanbase due to their early struggles to begin this season. Jaren Jackson Jr. currently leads the team in minutes per game at 29.2 and is followed by Ja Morant at 28.5. Foul trouble likely factors into Jaren Jackson Jr.'s minutes, as he has only averaged 28.6 minutes per game throughout his eight-year career anyway.
However, this is the first season that Ja Morant has averaged less than 30.4 minutes per game, and this is also his worst season shooting from the field and three, statistically. While their limited minutes figure to hurt their rhythm to continue playing at a high level, the San Antonio Spurs' star big man just displayed why that shouldn't be an excuse.
Victor Wembanyama dominated against OKC in 21 minutes
Ja Morant and Victor Wembanyama both suffered calf strains around the same time and missed around the same length of time before returning to their team's lineup this past weekend. Morant was limited to 25 minutes in his return to ease back in, and his struggles shooting continued as he shot 7-20, but he was effective with 21 points and 10 assists.
Victor Wembanyama came off the bench for the first time in his career against the Oklahoma City Thunder and was limited to 21 minutes. However, those 21 minutes were straight domination from the 7'4" big man as he produced 21 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks on 6-11 shooting against the best team in the NBA.
Comparing Wembanyama to Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. is unfair due to his size alone, but the skill set with his size makes it completely unfair. However, his presence in his limited minutes on December 13th showed why Morant and Jackson Jr.'s limited minutes aren't what is affecting their performances this season.
Great players produce regardless of circumstances when it pertains to minutes, and the Grizzlies' star duo appears to be struggling for other reasons. Playing rotation and minutes distribution matter when it comes to certain lineups on the court and game situations, but Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. have played better in similar minutes in the past. They just have to snap out of their respective slumps to return to the players the fanbase knows they can be.