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Memphis Grizzlies

MEMPHIS – After scoring a career-high 44 points in the final game on the schedule to cap a late-season push for NBA All-Rookie team consideration, the last thing Grizzlies forward GG Jackson wanted was for the season to end.

The gregarious 19-year-old, who is the league’s youngest player, was having too much fun and success grinding through a rapid stretch of development.

“This has definitely opened up a new chapter,” Jackson insists as he eagerly eyes an offseason of increased opportunities. “And we’ve got to begin, you know, the next story. Now is where the real work begins because the stars are coming back. So, I’ve got to find exactly where do I fit? I believe I can fit for sure.”

That belief in Jackson permeates the franchise.

As the Grizzlies take inventory of a season that began with superstar Ja Morant’s 25-game NBA suspension and ended with a historic rash of injuries, they can also take solace in what was gained from a 27-55 campaign.

Atop that short list was the emergence of the Grizzlies’ last two second-round picks into first-rate rotation options as the team regroups for the 2024-25 season.

Second-year swingman Vince Williams Jr. parlayed his extended opportunities into a solidified role as Memphis’ breakout young prospect in the first half of the season. Then it was Jackson’s rapid ascension as a rookie down the stretch that allowed him to become one of the best developmental stories in the NBA.

By the time Jackson put the finishing touches on a 44-point outburst against the defending champion Denver Nuggets on April 14, the 6-foot-9 versatile forward ended the season as the NBA’s fourth-leading rookie scorer.

Not bad for a prospect whose jersey number reflects the slot where he was selected as the No. 45 pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. But Jackson used his first year in the league as a canvas to recreate the narrative around his fledgling NBA journey.

That ride started with Jackson’s rise as the nation’s top-rated prep prospects two years go. His reputation was then marred by a less-than-stellar freshman season at South Carolina, where his maturity and work ethic were questioned amid a steep slide on the draft board.

When the Grizzlies picked Jackson at No. 45, team president Zach Kleiman quickly cautioned that although supremely gifted, Jackson faced work ahead to mature on and off the court. Kleiman also insisted the Grizzlies would “give him the structure to do that.”

Having quickly progressed from a two-way G League deal to a four-year NBA contract, Jackson reflected at last week’s season exit interviews on his draft night vow to Kleiman.

“I still remember that phone call, when I was like, ‘I promise you, I’m not going to let you down; you did not make a mistake on this pick,’” Jackson recounted with gratitude following an encouraging rookie season. “Luckily, God moved me, and I showed it out on the court.”

Jackson is now ready to move into the next phases of improvement and impact.

In late May, he’ll be among a group of roster players who will return from a monthlong break to start voluntary offseason conditioning workouts. Those sessions will ramp up further in June as the Grizzlies embark on the NBA Draft, where they’re currently positioned to have a top-10 lottery pick as well as options in the second round.

From there, coach Taylor Jenkins confirmed, Jackson will help anchor the Grizzlies’ summer league team scheduled in July to compete in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.

There were some questions as to whether Jackson’s extensive playing time late in the season against top NBA competition would negate his need for summer league. The Salt Lake City and Las Vegas leagues both feature games with mainly incoming rookie draft picks and undrafted free-agent prospects vying to make NBA rosters.

But Jenkins sees specific areas where Jackson can continue to expand his game well beyond what he displayed this season. Since moving up from the G League’s Memphis Hustle on Jan. 12, Jackson has played in 48 NBA games, including 18 starts.

Over his final 17 contests, Jackson averaged 19 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 33.2 minutes. Those 44 points against Denver in the season finale were the second-most points ever scored by a teenager in an NBA game.

And that was just the latest of many age-defying performances in which Jackson joined the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant to set NBA benchmarks for youth. Jenkins has challenged Jackson to work this summer on his shooting accuracy from various locations, his defensive technique and his vision and execution as a facilitator.

The notion is that Jackson will work more next season in a supporting role, likely off the bench, in a rotation anchored by a healthy Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart among others. Another offseason goal is for GG Jackson to beef up his 215-pound frame by adding seven-to-10 pounds of muscle definition.&nbsp;

“It's going to be a great opportunity for him, just continuing to expand his game,” Jenkins said. “Obviously, he's showcased so much this season. I mean, the kid's got so much potential but we want to see that potential realized. And the work doesn't stop. It's not just saying it, it's doing it. I think he's fired up about it.”

When Jackson was reminded during his press conference that he was expected to play in summer league, he immediately pumped his fist and smiled as if he just made a big shot.

He simply can’t wait to get started again.&nbsp;

Or, perhaps, just continue doing what he’s been doing. There’s no offseason for Jackson.

When you’re learning, growing and developing as fast as he is, it’s just on to the next task.

Relatively soon, he’ll be back in the gym again working out with trainers and assistant coaches such as Anthony Carter, considered in NBA circles as one of the league’s top player development gurus.

“When we start open runs and workouts, Coach A.C. already told me, ‘It’s going to be hard, but don’t look at it like punishment – you’re going to be guarding the best,’” Jackson said of his exit meeting with the coaching staff. “He wants to put me on Ja . . . and I’m definitely going to give Des a run for his money, for sure. It’s all about getting each other better.”

Jackson then let out a sheepish laugh, thinking of the possibilities and intensity awaiting. 

He’s still a teenager unafraid to let out his inner-child. It’s who he is – a big kid enjoying a game he’d play year-round for free, except he’s talented enough to rise to the highest level of the sport.

“Looking ahead to next year, GG’s opportunity will be whatever he’s ready for,” Kleiman assured yet again while balancing patience and the endless possibilities for Jackson’s continued growth. “We’re certainly going to continue to push GG and challenge him. We all see what he's capable of doing. How that role continues to grow . . . that'll play itself out.”

For now, Jackson impatiently awaits his next chance to keep playing.

The schedule reveals his rookie season has officially ended.

But the seasoning of his development is a process that never ceases.&nbsp;

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MikeCheck: Grizzlies breakout rook GG Jackson eager for next phase of NBA development

MEMPHIS – Season-ending exit interviews for the Grizzlies typically provide some level of direction or clarity with where the franchise is headed entering the offseason.

In one big case, there seems to be more questions than answers.

That’s especially the case with the player at the center of the discussion. Jaren Jackson Jr.’s response earlier this week emphasized that notion.

The 6-foot-11, 250-pound versatile veteran was asked if he were ready to shift permanently to the middle at this stage of his career or whether the Grizzlies should acquire a more traditional center this offseason.

“Define traditional,” Jackson shot back. “That (term) doesn’t really mean anything at this point. Anybody who’s going to come in and produce the whole equation . . . Whatever is going to work with our group at that time (and) sync us a little more together is what's going to be the key here. Traditional, nontraditional, that means less and less every year.”

There, however, is little doubt about one thing as the Grizzlies venture into their offseason improvement plans. From the front office through the coaching staff and to the longest-tenured player on the Grizzlies, adding size and depth to the power rotation is a top priority.

The Grizzlies enter the offseason positioned to have a top-10 pick entering the May 12 NBA Draft Lottery to determine the order for June’s NBA Draft. The team has also been aggressive on the trade market in recent seasons around the draft, and that could be the case again this summer. In addition, the Grizzlies also have financial flexibility to acquire help when the NBA free-agency period opens in July.

Grizzlies president and general manager Zach Kleiman confirmed during Monday’s exit interviews that the team’s collection of draft capital, assets and resources will be used to bolster the team’s frontcourt depth.

Kleiman, however, was non-committal on whether that path forward with the power rotation would feature Jackson returning primarily to power forward or anchoring at center.

“I think it would be probably our best position if Jaren is playing (center),” Kleiman said of the long-term matchups Jackson could create in a playoff scenario moving forward. “When we look ahead, trying to get through several rounds of the playoffs against some teams, Jaren’s going to have to be the (center).”

Kleiman then considered the alternative, particularly the physical demands of the position and how the franchise can also benefit from having a bigger body share in the workload.

“That being said, from a roster-building standpoint, we see the value of having a more traditional – whatever you call it – big (guy),” Kleiman continued. “We’ve seen Jaren successful with those type of lineups as well. Our hope was that those (center) reps could be meaningful as we’re thinking about the context Jaren is going to have to be successful in for us to be the best team we can be in the playoffs.”

The Grizzlies missed the NBA postseason for the first time in four seasons, largely due to the extended injury absences of Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane and several others. With Jackson as the lone frontline starter and star player available most of the season, Memphis used the past four months to evaluate Jackson in various on-court roles. &nbsp; &nbsp;

After spending his first five NBA seasons exclusively at power forward, Jackson logged most of this past season at center to help the Grizzlies fill voids inside created by attrition. The Grizzlies traded veteran starter Steven Adams and reserves Xavier Tillman and David Roddy in February, and finished the season with Jackson literally taking on a larger role.

Although Jackson responded with some of the best production of his career offensively, the Grizzlies emerged from an injury-riddled, 27-55 season targeting more frontcourt bulk. In addition to playing both power forward and center throughout the season, Jackson also spent considerable time running the offense as a primary facilitator.

That comprehensive role led to Jackson averaging career highs in scoring (22.5), field-goal attempts (17.6), free-throw attempts and makes (5.1-6.3), assists (2.3) and steals (1.2). While Jackson considers himself “position-less,” the Grizzlies want to load up around him.

Power forward Brandon Clarke, who returned last month after a year-long rehab from Achilles surgery, is the only other power player on the roster whose contract extends beyond the upcoming 2024-25 season.

“So, we’re taking a lot of things into consideration going into the summer,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “You definitely need to complement everyone’s strengths out there and account for things that maybe someone needs from a big spot.”

Injuries contributed to most of the Grizzlies struggles this season. But some of the areas where the team saw the biggest drop-off from previous success were in the paint. In each of the three previous seasons, Memphis ranked among the NBA’s top teams in rebounding, offensive rebounding, second-chance scoring and points in the paint.

That dominant part of their game was aided by the presence of traditional centers alongside Jackson such as Adams and, before that, Jonas Valanciunas. This season, the Grizzlies were last among the NBA’s 30 teams in points in the paint and 24th in rebounding.

“Obviously, not having (Adams) really, really hurt us,” Clarke said. “I like seeing Jaren out there at (power forward) more, with another big man, and then me coming off the bench. That was kind of how it was the past four years. But we just really got to get healthy first. And we're going to get a good pick in the draft. So, I trust the front office with what they choose. But sounds like we need somebody big and somebody strong down there for us.”

Regardless how the team addresses the power rotation this offseason, Jackson vows to keep maximizing his versatility and flexibility. Over the past year, he took on the challenge of manning the position at center, a role that started during last summer’s stint with Team USA in the FIBA World Cup tournament.

After playing exclusively at center for the national team, shifting to that spot was relatively seamless during this NBA season. It’s all part of the experiment of expanding one’s game.

So, even when frontcourt help arrives this offseason, it’s not likely the Grizzlies will have Jackson boxed in at any particular spot.

“I definitely throw out the (position) numbers, and it depends on the game for me,” Jackson said of embracing his role. “There’s versatility. There’s bringing the ball up and running a play. There are just differences. I don’t think the game will ever go back to (traditional). So, whoever wants to contribute and wants to be here, that’s going to be the key.”

And that key to landing another post presence should unlock another level of potential around Jackson as the Grizzlies chart their way back into playoff contention next season.

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MikeCheck: Position-less Jackson not boxed in as Grizzlies seek to bolster power rotation

MEMPHIS – After enduring one of the most injury-riddled seasons in franchise history, the Grizzlies anticipate moving forward with a relatively clean bill of health.

“Fingers crossed, I think we’ll be able to have a good start to our summer with majority of the roster from a health standpoint,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “Hopefully, that’ll lead to great work. And come the start of training camp in October, we’re fully healthy, which is something we missed this year.”

Jenkins’ comments came Monday as the Grizzlies conducted exit interviews and charted next steps as the team heads into the offseason much earlier than in recent years.

The Grizzlies (27-55) fell outside of the NBA postseason for the first time in four years after faltering through one of the most painful – literally and figuratively – seasons in NBA history.&nbsp;

Memphis opened the season with superstar point guard Ja Morant serving a league suspension for the first 25 games. And it closed the season with Morant limited to just nine games and undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.

Among the positive developments that came out of Monday’s final team media session of the season was the revelation that Morant is progressing on schedule from the January surgery and is expected to resume basketball-related activities in about two months.

“It’s just attacking my rehab at a high level,” Morant said Monday in his first public comments since the first week of January. “Early on, it was tough. This was the first time with me having an injury that really sat me out for a season. That process was really hard. But as far as how I am mentally, that’s been motivating.”

Morant confirmed he plans to remain in Memphis most of the offseason as he continues to progress through rehab in anticipation of full clearance to resume basketball activities. Beyond Morant, the Grizzlies are confident that several other key players who finished the season on the injured list will be recovered and available for summer offseason workouts.

That list includes veteran starters and key rotation contributors such as Marcus Smart (finger), Desmond Bane (back), Derrick Rose (groin/back), Santi Aldama (foot), Ziaire Williams (back/hip) and Vince Williams Jr. (knee).

The Grizzlies finished the final games of the regular season with 13 players sitting out and on the injury report, although some were held out for maintenance and general recovery. The front office, coaching staff and players are eager to put behind them a season in which they established modern NBA records for attrition caused by wide-spread injuries.

The Grizzlies finished the season having used 33 players and 51 different starting lineups while enduring a combined 592 games lost to various player injuries along the way. Those absences never allowed the Grizzlies to gain any traction this season after they started 6-19 through the first 25 games Morant missed while serving the NBA-mandated suspension.

The goal now is to distance themselves from the injury bug and regroup for next season with a healthy core, a lottery pick entering June’s NBA Draft and the flexibility to address roster needs through trades and free agency.

The Grizzlies were coming off consecutive 50-win seasons and back-to-back, second-place finishes in the Western Conference standings as one of the NBA’s youngest teams. They are optimistic that Morant’s return to health, and the chance to build even more chemistry with Bane, Jackson, Smart and emerging talents in Williams Jr. and rookie GG Jackson will reestablish Memphis among the conference’s top contenders.

“We’ve been with each other for a while now, and we know what we can do when we’re all out there, so we have a lot of confidence in that,” said star big man Jaren Jackson Jr., who played 66 games as the lone veteran to suit up most of the season. “But we also have to take our games to a new level to win in the postseason as a unit.”

Jackson said conversations have already been had about maximizing the summer.

“I’m looking forward to a summer of work when I’m around them,” Jackson said of training with key players who missed significant time. “We’re always getting on each other and pushing each other. No one misses a day of (offseason) work around here. And if anyone even thinks of missing a day, everyone gets on each other about it. That’s what you need.”

The Grizzlies were only able to get a glimpse of their potential when Morant was available this season. Memphis went 6-3 in the games Morant played, including two thrilling road victories over the New Orleans Pelicans. One featured Morant’s winning shot at the buzzer.

A two-time All-Star and potential league MVP candidate, Morant said he tried to provide leadership and support throughout the season from the bench. But he also admitted nothing could replace what he can do for the team when he’s on the court and healthy.

Morant also acknowledged how much having a battle-tested veteran like Rose on the roster has helped steer him through the injury adversity.

“He’s pretty much a big brother . . . his locker is right beside me,” Morant said of Rose, a former MVP who had fought through multiple knee surgeries and injuries to last 15 years in the NBA. “He’s been big-time help for me. As I said, I never had an injury that sat me out for a season, and he’s had a couple. So being able to have him there and help me out, guide me through this process, was big-time.”

Grizzlies’ president and general manager Zach Kleiman has been encouraged with the approach Morant is taking at this stage of his recovery.

“Ja’s right on schedule – right on track, hitting everything he’s supposed to on that,” Kleiman said Monday. “He’s been very diligent with his work, and he’s been around the team, pouring in every day. He’s expected to be fully, fully cleared and have basketball reps well ahead of training camp. So, Ja’s in a great spot.”

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MikeCheck: With injury-riddled season behind, Grizzlies poised for healthy offseason reset

GG Jackson II scored a career-high 44 points, but the Memphis Grizzlies (27-55) fell to the Denver Nuggets (57-25) 126-111 in both teams’ final regular season game. The Nuggets, who swept the season series with Grizzlies (4-0), clinched the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.

Jackson II shot 17-of-36 from the field to record the second-highest scoring total by a teenager in NBA history and added career-high tying 12 rebounds for his second career double-double. Jake LaRavia added29 points, five rebounds and four assists. Scotty Pippen Jr. finished with 15 points and seven assists.

Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 21 points and six rebounds. Christian Braun posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.&nbsp; Nikola Jokic registered his 68th double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Aaron Gordon scored 15 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Denver went on a 13-4 run to end the second quarter, including nine unanswered points. The Nuggets led 66-54 at halftime. The Nuggets held the Grizzlies to two points through the first five minutes of the third quarter and led by as many as 26 points in the second half. &nbsp;

The Nuggets shot 51 percent from the field and registered 32 assists. Denver’s bench outscored the Grizzlies’ reserves 52-9.

The Grizzlies set NBA records this season with 33 different players appearing in a game and 51 unqiue starting lineups.

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Grizzlies fall to Nuggets in regular season finale, 126-111

The Los Angeles Lakers (46-35) rallied during the fourth quarter to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies (27-54) 123-120 on Friday at FedExForum. The Lakers won for the ninth time in their last 10 games.Lebron James recorded a game-high 37 points and nine rebounds, while Anthony Davis posted a double-double with 36 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Lakers. Rui Hachimura tallied 14 points and five rebounds. Austin Reaves contributed 13 points.The Lakers shot 34 free throws, including 17 for Davis and 11 for James, compared to 21 attempts for the Grizzlies.GG Jackson II led Memphis with 31 points. Scotty Pippen Jr. scored a season-high 28 points, six assists and four steals. Jordan Goodwin registered a double-double with a career-high 23 points and 17 rebounds. Jake LaRavia added 28 points and a career-high six assists after scoring a career-best 32 points Wednesday at Cleveland.Memphis’ starters combined for 116 of the team’s 120 points, a franchise record for a starting five.The Lakers closed the first quarter on an 8-0 run and led by as many as 13 in the second quarter before the Grizzlies used a 7-0 run with 1:29 in the half to cut the deficit to one point. The Lakers wrestled back and held a 68-64 lead at halftime.Memphis mounted a 13-2 run with 6:06 remaining in the third quarter to grab and eight-point advantage and led by as many as nine points in the period. A pair of free throws from LaRavia gave the Grizzlies a 119-118 lead with 1:06 in regulation, but James scored six unanswered points to give the Lakers a five-point lead in the final seconds.The Grizzlies host the Denver Nuggets in the season finale on Sunday, April 14 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM ESPN.

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Lakers rally past Grizzlies, 123-120

The Memphis Grizzlies (27-53) fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers (47-33) 110-98 on Wednesday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in their final road game of the season. The Cavaliers snapped their three-game losing streak while the Grizzlies lost their third straight.

Jake LaRavia scored a career-high 32 points and made a career-best eight 3-pointers on 11 attempts for the Grizzlies. GG Jackson II contributed 22 points. Scotty Pippen Jr. added 18 points and six assists while Lamar Stevens finished with 16 points and six rebounds.&nbsp;

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 29 points and eight assists. Caris LeVert added 18 points off the bench. Jarrett Allen registered his 41st double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Darius Garland added 16 points and nine assists.&nbsp; Evan Mobley posted a double-double with 12 points and a team-high 12 rebounds.

LaRavia scored 21 points in the first half, including 6-of-6 shooting from long range, to help Memphis lead 51-48 at halftime. The Grizzlies led 59-58 early in the third before a 13-2 Cavaliers run steadily built the lead up to 78-65 near the end of the period. Cleveland outscored Memphis 30-16 in the third and led by as many as 20 before the final buzzer.

Memphis, which dressed just eight players, was outscored 29-6 off the bench.

The Grizzlies will return to FedExForum to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m. CT. The game will broadcast on NBA TV, Bally Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM ESPN.&nbsp;

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Grizzlies fall to Cavaliers in final road game of the season, 110-98

Victor Wembanyama had 18 points and seven blocks to guide the San Antonio Spurs (20-59) past the Memphis Grizzlies (27-52), 102-87, Tuesday at FedExForum.

Sandro Mamukelashvili recorded his second start and second double-double of the season with 11 points and a career-high 16 rebounds to help San Antonio end a 13-game losing streak in the overall series with Memphis, which had been the Grizzlies’ longest winning streak ever over an individual opponent.

The victory marked the Spurs’ first win over the Grizzlies since the 2020-21 season opener on Dec. 23, 2020 at FedExForum.

Brandon Clarke, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Trey Jemison all scored 14 points to lead Memphis. Jordan Goodwin posted his third career double-double, all since joining the Grizzlies in a midseason trade, with 10 points and a career-best 19 rebounds. The 6-foot-3 Goodwin hauled in the most rebounds by a player at his listed height or shorter since Fat Lever had 22 rebounds for the Denver Nuggets in 1990.

Memphis jumped ahead by as many as 14 points in the first half but led just 49-48 at halftime. San Antonio outscored Memphis 29-12 in the third quarter, holding the Grizzlies to their lowest scoring quarter of the season. The Spurs used a 25-3 run during the third to go ahead 77-61 entering the fourth and led by as many as 20 in the final period.

The Grizzlies used their 50th different starting lineup this season, setting a league record (since starting lineup data was first recorded in 1982-83). Clarke became the team’s 23rd different starter this season.

Memphis will wrap up its final back-to-back set of the season when the Grizzlies play their final road game of the season at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The game will be televised on Bally Sports Southeast and broadcast on 92.9 FM ESPN.

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Spurs defeat Grizzlies, 102-87

MEMPHIS – As the Grizzlies pace through the final week of the NBA regular season, two of their developmental prospects are just starting to hit their stride.

That bodes well for what an offseason of continued progress could mean for point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and center Trey Jemison as they approach the Grizzlies’ remaining games.

For the past three months, Pippen and Jemison have parlayed their respective two-way developmental contracts into extended auditions for the Grizzlies at positions of dire need. Significant injuries and attrition at point guard and center have left Memphis scrambling to fill the gaping holes at both spots for much of the season.

But as the Grizzlies (27-51) limp to the finish line of a difficult season, they’ll carry plenty of production to evaluate into the summer in charting next steps for several young prospects.

Pippen enters the week coming off a career-best performance when he scored a team-high 24 points, including 14 in the third quarter of Saturday’s home loss to the 76ers. The previous night, Jemison led the way with his first career double-double as he recorded 17 points and a career-high 13 rebounds during a home win against the Pistons

Some may see this week’s games against the Spurs (Tuesday), Cavaliers (Wednesday), Lakers (Friday) and Nuggets (Sunday) as the final remnants of a season many want to soon forget. But count Pippen and Jemison among those who view the slate as one last stretch of opportunities to extend their productive momentum heading into the summer.

“I’m used to doing this kind of stuff, so it’s not really shocking to me,” Pippen said of his emergence and mindset entering the final games. “For me, it’s just continuing to be vocal, make sure I’m being a coach on the floor and push my guys. Just continue to develop, show what I can on both sides of the floor and try to win some games. I think that will show a lot.”

With his physical presence and consistent effort inside, Jemison is also showing plenty.

“I just go out there and play hard, try to let the game come to me,” Jemison shared. “It’s 100-percent confidence, man. We just keep coming. I work my butt off. I go to sleep every night and wake up knowing, ‘Hey, whenever Coach calls my name, I’m ready to go, man.”

Pippen and Jemison are the latest examples of the encouraging success the Grizzlies have squeezed out of their developmental pipeline this season. Injuries, of course, have derailed the bigger-picture goals the franchise had of competing for a championship this season.

But amid the ashes of an overall disappointing campaign are some embers that could spark the back end of the Grizzlies rotation with the return of a healthy roster next season.

Pippen went undrafted out of Vanderbilt two years ago and spent last season primarily with the Los Angeles Lakers affiliate in the NBA G League. The 6-foot-1 playmaker, and son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, played just six NBA games last season with the Lakers.

But Pippen considers this his rookie season in the league after playing in 17 games with the Grizzlies since he was signed to a two-year, two-way deal in January. He was brought in when the Grizzlies were critically short at point guard, where superstar catalyst Ja Morant was lost to season-ending shoulder surgery while both Derrick Rose and Marcus Smart missed significant time with injuries.

Along the way, Pippen missed several games with back and leg injuries but bounced back to average 11.5 points, 4.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 23 minutes a game. His best attributes have been his perimeter defense and shooting, where he has knocked down 50-percent from the field overall and 47.2-percent on 3-pointers.

The past eight games have been Pippen’s strongest stretch of the season. And in just the last two contests, he’s averaged 20 points, six assists and three steals while shooting 50-percent from beyond the arc in nearly 30 minutes per game.

In all likelihood, Pippen will enter the team’s offseason development program as the primary point guard on the Grizzlies summer league teams in July. Should he remain on the current two-way deal entering next season, Pippen could potentially compete in training camp for backup minutes behind Morant and, theoretically, alongside Rose.

“It’s good to see him get the performances he’s had lately,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said as he pointed out what stands out most in Pippen. “Well, No. 1 is his competitiveness. It’s what makes it easy for me to fall in love with a guy. I love that he’s been growing his playmaking ability. The tenacity he plays with on the defensive side, sticking his nose in on the ball, roughing it up at times . . . really impressed with his effort.”

Pippen’s first game with the Grizzlies on Jan. 20 came against the Bulls in Chicago, where his father’s retired No. 33 hangs in the rafters alongside six NBA championship banners. And Pippen’s most recent game featured his career-high scoring effort against the 76ers as his father sat courtside to watch at FedExForum.

Although he played it coolly, the younger Pippen embraced the magnitude of that moment.&nbsp;

“He watches all of my games; I’m used to him being there so it’s nothing crazy, but I think it’s cool,” Pippen Jr. said. “He’s been a bit more chill lately. But in college and high school, he was a little bit harder on me. If he sees something I need to work on – or if I’m doing something wrong – he’ll tell me. So he definitely helps me a lot.”

As the late-season primary facilitator, Pippen helped to steer Memphis toward a positive finish. The Grizzlies have won three of their four April games while playing a lineup of players on 10-day contracts granted through NBA injury exceptions or two-way deals.

That includes Jemison, the 6-10 post player who signed his development deal Feb. 9 after he was initially added on a 10-day contract. Undrafted out of UAB in 2023, Jemison started his pro career in the G League before signing a 10-day deal with the Washington Wizards.

He’s made the most of his opportunities in Memphis. In 19 games, Jemison has averaged 7.4 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 58.1-percent from the field in 22.8 minutes. Jemison’s screen-setting, rebounding and relief baskets in the paint – particularly with his vintage skyhook shot – has provided the Grizzlies a needed boost.

Those minutes became available in the power rotation when the Grizzlies traded Steven Adams, Xavier Tillman and David Roddy earlier this season. Brandon Clarke returned to action in late March after missing the first four months to recover from Achilles surgery.

The front office plans to prioritize a frontline center or power forward in the June draft, July free agency or offseason trades, however Jemison hopes to remain positioned in the power pipeline.

“It’s been a long journey, to be honest,” Jemison said of grinding his way into this position with the Grizzlies. “Just watching the film, then being on the court with the guys has helped me so much. It’s just finding that rhythm and learning what to do.”

Jemison will finish the season facing some major tests and opportunities to maintain his progress. After facing league MVP Joel Embiid on Saturday, this week features potential matchups in the post against rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, former lottery pick Evan Mobley, All-NBA standout Anthony Davis and reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic.&nbsp;

No team in the NBA has gotten more out of their two-way contract players than the Grizzlies. Memphis opened the season with Jacob Gilyard, Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson on the three allotted two-way development deals.

Gilyard started 14 of his 37 games at point guard before he was released. Williams and Jackson posted breakout seasons and were rewarded with standard, four-year NBA contracts midway through the season. Ultimately, Pippen and Jemison inherited two of the two-way roster spots that became available as others were upgraded.

“It’s definitely motivating to go to a place where you see guys that worked hard and eventually were rewarded for that,” Pippen acknowledged. “I don’t try to think about that too much because I don’t want it to take away from the game. But it’s going out here every day, playing hard and helping my teammates.”

Pippen and Jemison are among those who get one more week of NBA games to do just that.

Then awaits an offseason of even more developmental opportunities with the Grizzlies.

mikecheck-pippen-jemison-sparking-grizzlies-productive-sprint-to-seasons-finish-line

MikeCheck: Pippen, Jemison sparking Grizzlies productive sprint to season’s finish line

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