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The Memphis Grizzlies keep getting stark reminders that ingredients are missing from their recipe for success in the Western Conference. Unforced errors leading to turnovers and foul trouble are two huge on-court issues. However, The Grizzlies (43-28) are grappling with a rash of injuries that have derailed their momentum at a critical juncture. Ja Morant is battling hamstring and shoulder ailments, while forward Brandon Clarke has been ruled out for the season. Jaren Jackson Jr. recently played through an ankle injury, and Santi Aldama only just returned to the rotation.
The mounting injury toll has left head coach Taylor Jenkins searching for answers as the Grizzlies attempt to recapture the defensive intensity and speed that defined their earlier success.
“Health is the biggest thing. (Ja Morant) is working his tail off to get back out there,” Jenkins stressed. “Obviously, (Brandon Clarke) getting hurt…health is the biggest factor. That allows us to have the chemistry but we just got to get back to playing with the defensive intensity that we talk about, the speed. We’ve lost that over the last month or so, even right before the All-Star break. We have got to recapture in that last 10 or 11 games.”
The Grizzlies are not worried about seeding at the moment though. Taylor Jenkins knows Memphis needs a bit more positive momentum regardless of how the Western Conference’s first-round matchups shake out. Getting Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. back on track is more important than any future Game Seven locations.
“For us, it’s about playing our best basketball. I mean, that should take care of itself. Obviously we’re in a slide right now and have got to dig out of it,” Jenkins admitted. “We know what the standings are, the seedings, whether there is homecourt or not (having) homecourt, and matchups. But we can’t be thinking about that. We got to recapture our best version that we’ve displayed throughout the season.”
Despite the skid, Jenkins isn’t fixating on playoff seeding or first-round matchups. His focus remains on restoring the Grizzlies’ identity, regardless of where they land in the standings.
“Hopefully, we get healthy here pretty quickly,” Jenkins stated. “We have got to keep putting in the work. I mean, we know what standard is. That is what is going to carry us. That’s going to be our recipe for success. That is the only thing we have got to focus on.”
Well, that and surviving the remaining schedule while holding on to a top-six seed. Two more road games (Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder) precede a three-game homestand against the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Golden State Warriors. Four of the last six regular-season dates are on the road. The two home games are against potential NBA Playoffs or NBA Play-In Tournament foes (Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks).
For now, the Grizzlies’ postseason aspirations hang in the balance. With their star point guard ailing and their depth tested, Memphis must find a way to weather the storm of injuries and a brutal remaining schedule. If health remains elusive, even Ja Morant’s grit and Taylor Jenkins’ steady hand might not be enough to cook up a deep playoff run out West.
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TODAY'S BEST
LeBron James Stunned by Son’s Change in Appearance
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Former crew chief frustrated by the 'ridiculous' racing at Watkins Glen
It is no secret that NASCAR's current road-course package has not been very good. Aside from the mile-and-a-half tracks that were once the least competitive and exciting in the series, those races are the rare bright spot for the Next Gen Car since its inception in 2022. Shane van Gisbergen drove away to an 11.1-second win over Christopher Bell in Sunday's race at Watkins Glen and set multiple records in the process. While the racing was not particularly exciting, that was not what left former crew chief and current analyst Steve Letarte frustrated the most following the weekend. A recurring issue in each race over the weekend was drivers utilizing the runoff areas around the track and not staying on the traditional racing surface, which ultimately led to some crashes in Saturday's Xfinity race. "So, I hate track limits that have to be officiated," Letarte said on "Inside the Race." "Because I like tracks that you should just stay on the track. I didn't think it mattered. Now, I am team get-them-back-on-the-race-track-at-Watkins-Glen. I don't love the Watkins Glen that I see. ... I think Turn 1 is not as great of a corner with no exit respect or responsibility. You just blow the exit. I think the carousel is a much easier corner, being able to just go driver's left. "I also think Turn 6 is going — let me add, that I think the (Connor) Zilisch, SVG wreck between the last two corners (in the Xfinity Series race) happened because they left the track, and the Austin Hill wreck with Michael McDowell happened off the race track. Now, both could have been avoided, we can talk about who's at fault. What I'm saying is, I've never driven a lap at Watkins Glen. I can analyze what happens between the white lines." This comes one year after rumble strips were placed in Turn 1 to keep drivers from using the runoff area, and that clearly has not worked. As the field has got closer together, using up all the track has become a common way for drivers to establish momentum, especially as they prepare for the right-hander going into The Esses at Watkins Glen. The bottom line is NASCAR's road-racing product needs to get better and Letarte wants to see race cars "stay on the race track because I think it will be a better race." Van Gisbergen's historic dominance certainly does not help, but the overall road course product is not great. Whether NASCAR makes some changes to the runoff areas and enforces track limits remains to be seen, but that still may not be the biggest issue if the racing does not improve.
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Oklahoma QB denies sports gambling allegations after suspicious screenshots emerge
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has faced questions about some alleged screenshots from his Venmo account, and the school is reportedly investigating the situation. Screenshots and videos that were widely circulated on social media Monday claimed to show multiple Venmo transactions linked to Mateer that contained the phrase “sports gambling.” The two main transactions in question were on Nov. 20, 2022, which was when Mateer was a freshman at Washington State. The alleged transactions that referenced “sports gambling” were between Mateer and a Venmo account for Richard Roaten, who is believed to be one of Mateer’s former Washington State teammates. While some have questioned whether the screenshots could have been altered, there were also videos that appeared to show people actively scrolling through the account that is believed to belong to Mateer. According to a Tuesday report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Mateer has denied to Oklahoma officials that he has ever been involved with gambling. The school is still planning to investigate further, however. Mateer issued a statement on his X account denying being involved in sports gambling, explaining that the descriptions seen on his Venmo account are "inside jokes" with his friends. "The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false," Mateer wrote. "My previous Venmo descriptions did not accurately portray the transactions in question but were instead inside jokes between me and my friends. "I have never bet on sports. I understand the seriousness of the matter but recognize that, taken out of context, those Venmo descriptions suggest otherwise. I can assure my teammates, coaches, and officials at the NCAA that I have not engaged in any sports gambling." Oklahoma also issued a statement saying it has “no reason to believe” there is going to be an NCAA investigation. Rules prohibit student athletes or team staff from betting on any sports that have NCAA championships. One of the alleged screenshots connected to Mateer had a reference to “UCLA vs. USC” in addition to “sports gambling.” Penalties for an athlete who has been found to have gambled on prohibited sports can include a loss of eligibility. Mateer had his first full season as a starter last year at Washington State. He completed 64.6% of his passes for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also rushed for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. Mateer entered the transfer portal after last season as one of the top players available, and he had a disrespectful gesture when announcing his commitment to the Sooners.
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