1 Former Boston Celtics Champion Gets Honest About Team's Postseason's Chances 5 June 8, 2018; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Kendrick Perkins (21) during the second quarter in game four of the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 108-85 to complete a four-game sweep. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Grizzlies: ESPN Analyst Absolutely Disses Jaren Jackson Jr. Ahead of Game 2 Vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 11:18 AM ET

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. had a poor performance in the team’s 131-80 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder last Sunday, prompting ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins to go on a rant about him.

Oklahoma City completely neutralized Jackson in Game 1. The former NBA Defensive Player of the Year only posted four points, three rebounds, and two assists on 2-for-13 shooting from the field in 29 minutes.

“(Jaren Jackson Jr.) is the most overhyped player in this league. He’s not even a top 10 big in my eyes,” Perkins said on NBA Today.

Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr.'s 22-Point Performance Draws Brutal Take From Draymond Green 2 Mar 1, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) reacts during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

“You’re an All-Star bro. You need to step up at the biggest time. There’s no way in hell that Jaren Jackson Jr. should ever leave a game without having double-figure rebounds and being impactful on the defensive side of things. You gotta impose your will,” he added.

Memphis Grizzlies News: Ja Morant makes huge promise to fans ahead of Game 2

After the Memphis Grizzlies suffered one of the biggest playoff losses in NBA history, Ja Morant shared a short message to his teammates and fans ahead of Game 2 on Tuesday.

Memphis Grizzlies Drop Crucial Jaylen Wells Update After Scary Fall in 124-100 Win Vs. Charlotte Hornets 6 Dec 23, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7), forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13), guard Ja Morant (12), guard Desmond Bane (22), and forward Jaylen Wells (0) huddle during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

“We will never play that bad again,” Morant said via ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.

“Luckily for us, there’s only one way from this, and that’s up,” said Memphis Grizzlies interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo. “We will analyze it, we’ll learn from it, and then we will fix those things that hurt us. But there were a lot of things.”