Tag: Memphis Grizzlies

Should the Boston Celtics try to trade for Memphis Grizzlies big man Santi Aldama this offseason?

The Celtics will need to keep their frontcourt depth capable and cheap while they contend for titles in the near-term future.

Should the Boston Celtics try to trade for Memphis Grizzlies big man Santi Aldama this offseason? The Celtics will need to keep their frontcourt depth capable and cheap while they contend for titles in the near-term future, and the Grizzlies combo big is cut from the sort of cloth that would work well in Boston. But could Memphis be convinced to part ways with him?

Per Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, they ought to try. “(Aldama) will make a hair less than (Jaden) Springer, and Boston could use a combo big to back up—and serve as insurances against injuries to—Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis,” writes the B/R NBA analyst.

“Aldama will cost more in total assets than Xavier Tillman (a free agent this summer),” he adds. “That’s fine. Boston has an armory of seconds, not to mention some firsts, it can dangle.”

“His prospective fit is good enough to contemplate giving up No. 30 as part of any package, even as he enters a contract year,” suggests Favale. “Aldama is pretty good at positioning himself in the right spots on defense, his 3-point clip will tick up above 35% on the Celtics, and he has some shiftiness to him off the dribble.”

We agree wholeheartedly on the fit for Aldama, but think it possible that Memphis simply isn’t interested in dealing him away with frontcourt depth issues of their own to consider. But if he were available, a first projected to go late in the top 30 picks would be worth the expense in our estimation.

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Sandro Mamukelashvili says Spurs wanted bounce-back win over Grizzlies

After the San Antonio Spurs’ win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Sandro Mamukelashvili spoke about the team’s desire to win.

The San Antonio Spurs suffered a tough loss on Sunday night, falling to the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime. Tyrese Maxey put on a show, dropping 52 points and leading his team to victory. San Antonio fell up just short. Joel Embiid was out, and the Spurs still couldn’t get the job done against the 76ers, although they came close.

On Tuesday night, the Spurs were looking to get back on track. They had a date with the Memphis Grizzlies in Tennessee, kicking off a quick two-game road trip. Luckily for the Spurs, they were able to bounce back from their tough loss, earning a 102-87 win over the Grizzlies.

After the game, Sandro Mamukelashvili said that the Spurs all wanted to get a bounce-back victory and take down the Grizzlies. (H/t ESPN)

“We all wanted to win this game,” Mamukelashvili said. “We came out [after halftime] and picked up our defense.”

Mamukelashvili finished the game with 11 points, 16 rebounds, and four assists while shooting 4-ofo6 from the field and 1-of-3 from behind the three-point line.

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In 2024-25 and beyond, Dillon Brooks plans return to Memphis-era defense

Dillon Brooks on his defense this season: “I didn’t want to stir the pot, too much. I feel like the NBA restrained me from playing that type of game.”

The competitive juices were flowing for Houston forward Dillon Brooks during Sunday’s agonizing overtime loss at Dallas, which eliminated the Rockets from 2024 postseason contention.

Brooks spent much of the day locked in defensive battles against the Mavericks’ All-Star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

In postgame comments to reporters, Brooks confirmed the apparent increase in intensity, and he acknowledged there were times this season in which he didn’t defend with his preferred style.

Before signing with the Rockets in the 2023 offseason, Brooks incurred a series of fines and ejections for infractions that occurred during his final months with the Memphis Grizzlies.

As Brooks sees it, that played a role in him being a bit more conservative than he would like during the 2023-24 season.

Here’s what Brooks, who finished with a team-high three steals in Sunday’s game, said postgame to Brian Barefield of Rockets Wire:

I didn’t want to stir the pot too much. I feel like the NBA restrained me from playing that type of game. But I’ve just got to have an “I don’t care” mentality, and just deal with whatever comes with it.

Complete video of Brooks’ comments can be viewed below.

The competitive edge Brooks played with defensively in Dallas may also have fueled a breakout performance on the offensive end. Brooks finished with a season-high 29 points while making 9-of-14 shots (64.3%) and 5-of-6 from 3-point range (83.3%).

The Rockets (38-40) have four games left to play in the 2023-24 season and have an opportunity for a .500 record and a winning season. As part of that last-week push, Brooks is insisting he’ll bring the type of aggressive defense and competitive intensity that will be seen much more frequently in 2024-25 and beyond.

Next for Brooks and the Rockets is Tuesday’s home finale versus Orlando (46-32) with a 7 p.m. Central tipoff from Houston.

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Pat Connaughton/Blake Wesley NBA Tracker: April 1-7

Here’s how Notre Dame’s two players fared this past week.

Even though the Milwaukee Bucks are on a four-game losing streak, [autotag]Pat Connaughton[/autotag] had a great start to the past week. His 15 points April 2 against the Washington Wizards were one off his season high, and his eight rebounds tied his season high. He followed that with six points and eight assists the next night against Memphis Grizzlies. For the week, he averaged 7.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists a game.

Despite shooting 1 of 8 from the field over his first two games of the week, [autotag]Blake Wesley[/autotag] had four and five assists respectively. He collected six points and four rebounds in the San Antonio Spurs’ double-overtime loss April 7 to the Philadelphia 76ers. That brought his averages for the week to 3.0 points and 3.0 assists a game.

Photographers on hand to cover Connaughton and Wesley’s teams during the past week got plenty of shots of Notre Dame’s two current NBA players. Here are some of the best ones:

Spurs’ Wembanyama, Hornets’ Miller named rookies of the month for third straight time

Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller for the third straight time have been named the Rookies of the Month for March.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama and Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller were named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference rookies of the month, respectively, for the third straight time.

Wembanyama became the first Spurs rookie to win three months in a row since Tim Duncan after averaging 23.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.8 blocks and 1.2 steals in 12 games. He led all rookies in scoring, rebounding and blocks in March.

Miller averaged 18.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 14 games, becoming the fifth player in franchise history to win three times. He was second among rookies in scoring and led all first-year players in 3-pointers (42).

Wembanyama registered five 30-point games, the most by a rookie in a calendar month since LeBron James in December 2003. He produced a career-high 40 points and 20 rebounds on March 29, becoming the first rookie since Shaquille O’Neal in 1993 to reach that mark.

Miller was the third-fastest Hornets rookie to surpass 1,000 career points after reaching that mark on March 15 (60 games). He later registered his third 30-point game of the season after recording 31 points with a career-high seven 3s on March 27.

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson II and Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson were also nominated for the award from the West. Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick, Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Hornets forward Vasilije Micić were also nominated in the East.

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Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins reveals next area of growth for GG Jackson

GG Jackson has had a productive rookie campaign with the Grizzlies, and his head coach revealed some of the next steps in his development.

GG Jackson has turned in a productive rookie campaign with the Memphis Grizzlies, and his head coach revealed on Saturday some of the next steps in his development.

Jackson, who is the youngest player in the NBA, started the season in the G League with the Memphis Hustle. He eventually entered the rotation in mid-January as the Grizzlies were battered by injuries, and he has become a key rotation player for Taylor Jenkins.

The 45th pick is averaging 15 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 36.6% shooting from 3-point range in 35 games since Jan. 12. He is fourth among the rookie class in scoring average (13.3) and 15th in rebounding (3.8) on the season.

Jenkins named one area of focus for Jackson this summer.

He and I have been talking about what his body is getting exposed to right now (with) the amount of minutes he is playing and having durability and endurance, so that is something he is definitely going to have to focus on in the offseason.

With the Grizzlies (24-50) eliminated from postseason contention, the team will continue to put Jackson in different situations to grow his overall game. The coaching staff wants to see him guard different players, such as guards and some of the bigs in the league.

On the other end of the floor, the Grizzlies want Jackson to learn their system further and make plays on and off the ball. They like how he has shot from beyond the arc and his ability to drive into the paint and finish strongly at the rim.

Jackson is one of seven first-year players with multiple 30-point games, including a career-high 35 points and five rebounds on March 20. He has scored in double figures in 10 consecutive games, his longest streak of the season.

The team is happy with his progress and willingness to learn.

“He is doing a good job of responding,” Jenkins said. “As I’ve openly told him: ‘You’re going to have your great moments, and you’re going to have your mistakes, and the fact that you’re just trying to be willing to learn and get better is going to pay dividends moving forward.'”

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Anthony Davis will not play in Wednesday’s Lakers vs. Grizzlies game

After leading the Lakers to an improbable win over the Bucks on Tuesday, Anthony Davis will not play on Wednesday against the Grizzlies.

The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a comeback for the ages on Tuesday night. They overcame a 19-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat Giannis Antetokounmpo and the surging Milwaukee Bucks in two overtimes — without LeBron James, who sat out because of ankle soreness.

Anthony Davis, who has been having another sensational season, led the way with 34 points, 23 rebounds, four blocked shots and two steals in 52 minutes. He appeared to tweak his knee late in regulation, but despite being visibly in pain, he continued to play, and he played very well despite not shooting a high percentage.

While James will return to action on Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies, Davis will not play.

Although Davis has been infamously injury-prone, this will be only the fifth game he has missed all season.

He is averaging 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.4 blocked shots a game while shooting 55.3% from the field and 81.5% from the free throw line.

Chris Paul says it was fulfilling to play against GG Jackson: ‘He is an unbelievable kid’

Chris Paul faced GG Jackson for the first time as the Warriors hosted the Grizzlies, and was proud to see him in the NBA.

Chris Paul faced rookie GG Jackson for the first time on Wednesday as the Golden State Warriors hosted the Memphis Grizzlies, and the future Hall of Famer called it a fulfilling experience.

Jackson played on Paul’s AAU team, Team CP3, in North Carolina two years ago alongside Rob Dillingham and Aden Holloway, among others. Paul and Jackson have had a strong friendship over that time and have kept in contact.

Paul missed the first two games against Jackson due to a wrist injury, but he responded on Wednesday with 12 points, 14 assists and two rebounds off the bench in the 137-116 victory. Beyond that, Paul was proud to share the court with Jackson.

The most fulfilling thing about tonight was GG Jackson. … GG is an unbelievable kid. We played at Memphis twice this year, and I was hurt both of those games, so going into the game, it was crazy. Sometimes, he still calls me coach. He hit a 3 in my face earlier in the game and I was pissed. Our AAU program is really like a family, so to be out there on the court playing against him is something I’ll never get used to. It is kind of a surreal moment.

Jackson responded with his best game as a professional, producing a career-high 35 points, five rebounds and three assists. He went 11-of-19 from the field, including 7-of-14 from 3-point range, in 35 minutes in his sixth start of the season.

He is the seventh rookie with multiple 30-point games this season, and he became the youngest player in history to hit seven 3-pointers in a game (19 years, 94 days).

One of those 3s came on Paul, which the veteran didn’t appreciate.

“I know I won’t hear the end of that,” Paul said. “What did he have? 35? That was a career high? Man, that is some (expletive). Him, along with all of the other guys who came through our program, is probably the most fulfilling, knowing that he’ll have a long career in this league.”

Jackson is averaging 13.4 points and 3.7 rebounds on 37.3% shooting from 3-point range in 36 games this season. He is fourth among rookies in scoring average and became the youngest player to record 25 points off the bench on Feb. 8.

The Grizzlies have been impressed with Jackson since the 45th pick entered the rotation in January. They rewarded him with a four-year contract and believe he has a bright future ahead.

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Full injury report for Saturday’s Thunder vs. Grizzlies matchup

Full injury report for Saturday’s Thunder vs. Grizzlies matchup.

The Oklahoma City Thunder travel to take on the depleted Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. It’ll be the final matchup between the teams this season: OKC won the first two in blowouts.

The Thunder (46-20) have a clean injury report; their only absences are players with the G League’s OKC Blue.

Ousmane Dieng (G League assignment), Keyontae Johnson (G League two-way), Olivier Sarr (G League two-way) and Adam Flagler (G League two-way) are out.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies’ (23-44) injury report rivals the length of a pharmaceutical receipt. It’s been a lost season for Memphis as it has dealt with a slew of injuries.

Ja Morant (shoulder labral repair) is out. Vince Williams Jr. (patellar tendonitis) is doubtful. Marcus Smart (finger tear) is out. Brandon Clarke (Achilles tendon repair) is out. Derrick Rose (groin, back recovery) is out.

Ziaire Williams (back, hip flexor strain) is out. Yuta Watanabe (personal reasons) is out. Scotty Pippen Jr. (shin soreness) is questionable. Lamar Stevens (adductor strain) is out.

Jaren Jackson Jr. (quad tendonitis) is questionable. Desmond Bane (ankle sprain) is questionable. Santi Aldama (elbow soreness) is questionable.

This game could mark the return of Bane, who was upgraded to questionable. He has been out for more than two months with an ankle sprain.

In their last contest, the Thunder wrapped a four-game homestand with a nice win over the Dallas Mavericks, who were without Luka Doncic, on Thursday. The win marked the return of Jalen Williams from a one-game absence due to an ankle sprain.

Meanwhile, the depleted Grizzlies suffered a double-digit loss to the lowly Hornets on Wednesday.

Tip off from Memphis is set for 7 p.m. CT.

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Taylor Jenkins praises Trey Jemison after career night: ‘I’m really impressed’

Trey Jemison had a career performance to lead the Grizzlies to a win and earned praise from coach Taylor Jenkins afterward.

Trey Jemison produced a career performance to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a win on Tuesday, and the undrafted center from UAB earned praise from coach Taylor Jenkins afterward.

Jemison produced a team-high 24 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots in the Grizzlies’ 109-97 victory over the Washington Wizards. He recorded 16 points in the first half and shot 11-of-13 from the field in 31 minutes in his sixth start.

The 24-year-old finished with the second-most points by an undrafted rookie this season (Duop Reath, 26). His 24 points were the most scored by a UAB player in the NBA.

Jenkins explained what stood out about the performance.

Him attacking the boards, I know he only ended up with (six), but the pressure he was putting on the paint. I thought he did a really good job of screening and rolling, something we’re continuing to work with him on — the chemistry with the guards out there. I thought he did a good job of really getting hits because they were staying with their own, and that freed up our guards quite a bit. … Overall, just steps in the right direction with the things we’re asking of him. I’m really impressed. Overall, I’m proud of him — career high and all of that stuff — but he is doing the little things that impact winning.

Jemison started the year in the G League with the Birmingham Squadron and emerged as one of the top players. He signed a 10-day contract with the Wizards on Jan. 20 and joined the Grizzlies on a 10-day contract on Jan. 30. He signed a two-way contract on Feb. 9.

The 6-foot-10 center is averaging 7.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks on 59.4% shooting from the field in 12 appearances with the Grizzlies. He has scored in double figures four times and is third in scoring average among undrafted rookies.

Jemison impressed throughout the year in the G League and is proving himself at the highest level. He will likely stay with the Grizzlies over the remainder of the season and will be ready for that opportunity.

“I work my butt off, man,” Jemison told Rob Fischer of Bally Sports Southeast. “I go to sleep every night knowing, ‘Hey, I might be ready.’ Whenever Coach calls my name, I’m ready to go, man.”

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