Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. to return by end of April

The Memphis Grizzlies might not be a playoff team a month from now but could nevertheless offer their fans a boost in the closing days of the season. 

Per the Associated Press (h/t NBA), Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said on Friday that forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is on pace to return from the torn meniscus in his left knee by the end of April. The 21-year-old suffered the setback last August during the NBA season resumption held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. 

"At this point, he is on track to return in April by the end of the month, and we can’t wait to have him out there," Kleiman explained. "But Jaren has made very significant strides, encouraged by the progress he’s made and we just can’t wait to have him back on the court with us." 

Jackson played in three games at the bubble site but went down with the knee injury in early August. He averaged 15.5 points and 4.6 rebounds across 115 games his first two seasons.

Memphis began Friday evening ninth in the Western Conference standings but was only a half-game behind the San Antonio Spurs for the eighth spot.