Christmas Day has come and gone but the wish list doesn't stop as the holiday season is still among us. The Memphis Grizzlies return to the court tonight to face the Toronto Raptors looking to get back on their winning track after suffering a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers Monday night to snap their eight-game home winning streak.
Their matchup against the Raptors marks their final home game of 2024 as a five-game road trip looms starting tomorrow against the New Orleans Pelicans. While the team has been gifted with the deepest team in the NBA, they have another wish that would solidify their status as a championship contender.
Health
The Grizzlies have played 30 games this season and currently sit third in the Western Conference with a 20-10 record. Out of those 30 games, Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Luke Kennard, and Marcus Smart have missed 12, and Desmond Bane has missed eight games. Vince Williams Jr. has only played three games and GG Jackson hasn't played any games this season.
As deep as the Grizzlies are, their matchup against the Clippers the other night showed that they will need the availability of most of their guys for matchup purposes when playoff time comes around. The Clippers displayed a level of physicality that the Grizzlies couldn't fully match to come out with the victory.
They have the players on the roster that can help with a matchup of that caliber but two of those guys were out and are out for the foreseeable future in Marcus Smart and Vince Williams Jr. The Grizzlies' roster from top to bottom can match up with nearly any style of play but it would still require a close to full-health team.
The presence of a GG Jackson to provide additional scoring pop off the bench will complete the Grizzlies roster that other teams will have a hard time keeping up with. However, good news is on the horizon if their current group of players can remain healthy.
According to last update:
— Anthony Sain (@SainAsylum) December 25, 2024
GG Jackson is 3-5 weeks away
Vince Williams is 2.5-5.5 weeks away pic.twitter.com/FlyjMg0721
GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr. are expected back sometime between the middle to the end of January, and the current injuries to Marcus Smart (Finger) and Jay Huff (Ankle) haven't had an announcement about a lengthy timeline so fingers are crossed that remains intact.
Wishing for a fully healthy roster for the first time since January 2023 makes you appreciate the effort displayed by the team this season. The Grizzlies have been unfortunate in the injury department since that timeframe and will be about two years removed from that time when they are projected to have a fully healthy roster again.
Wishing for full health unlocks this team in numerous ways that will make the thought of them being championship contenders more believable. The Grizzlies have a lot to be thankful for in 2024 but 2025 can be special if their remaining wish is granted.