Joe Mullinax here, the host of the daily Locked On Grizzlies podcast, with your daily Locked On Grizzlies newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Grizzlies and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
This Ja Morant can lead Memphis to the NBA Finals
Jan 15, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots against San Antonio Spurs center center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter/Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
No, it did not count in the box score. But what this dunk on Victor Wembanyama did do was serve as a reminder to the rest of the NBA what Ja Morant is capable of.
He can be the face of the NBA. He can be a force of audacious nature.
Ja Morant can lead these Memphis Grizzlies out of the Western Conference and in to the NBA Finals. Something the franchise has never done.
Much must happen for Memphis to get to that uncharted territory, of course. A trade - another wing, a rim protecting big, a backup point guard - may still be in the cards for the Grizzlies. And while it may not be as big as some would suggest, such a transaction could both condense the roster and upgrade it ahead of the natural rotation shortening of the postseason.
But any idea that it needs to be Jimmy Butler-esque can be retired for good (if it hasn’t already been). Because the Ja Morant we saw against the Spurs can be “the man”.
It’s not just the highlight-level plays. Those are fun, and reflections of Ja’s ability to go viral and be the talk of the league. But it’s the 12 assists to only two turnovers that he posted against San Antonio that showcase his elite-level passing while protecting valuable offensive possessions for the Grizzlies. It’s the defensive acumen that has developed nicely this season, including a career-high steals percentage.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is clearly the best two-way player on the Memphis roster, and if only one Grizzly makes the All-Star team it should be Jaren. But if not for his availability issues, it’d be Ja joining Jackson Jr. again for the annual showcase of the league.
And it still may be.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the clear class of the Western Conference and perhaps the entire league. Then there’s the Cleveland Cavaliers, who despite getting worked over by OKC recently are still thriving in the Eastern Conference. Boston and Dallas loom large as the most recent Finals representatives for their respective conferences. The Rockets may have the Grizzlies number, and the Knicks perhaps boast the best starting five in the league.
There is competition aplenty as the important Martin Luther King Jr. holiday approaches. And yet, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Memphis should be just as much of a threat as any team not named the Thunder or Cavaliers.
It’s the Grizzlies who have three rotation-level players on the shelf, waiting to return within the next week to three weeks or so. It is Memphis who has the ascending Jackson Jr., the returning steady productive hand of Desmond Bane.
And it’s the Grizzlies who have Ja Morant - an unapologetic-ally authentic wizard with the basketball in his hands. Whose magic is on display not just on dunks, but passes, and fall away jumpers, and floaters, and how his team believes in him.
That belief, and Morant’s ability to reward that belief on any given night, can carry these Grizzlies where they’ve never been before.
Jan 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives for a shot past Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. | Bill Streicher/Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the rest of the NBA season could just be various instances spent listening to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander go WOOOO to varying decibels and degrees of excitement? It would be, to borrow from a master gone too soon, Lynchian.
If not that, then to watch the Thunder and Cavaliers play each other, over and over, until April 13th. I suspect we still wouldn’t have our fill of these two teams but don’t fret, we’d have a riveting seven game series. Each game a competitive and tight feast for the eyes.
To really get an understanding of how, though relentless pressuring and seamless switching, the Thunder have run away with the first overall defensive rating. That even against a team like Cleveland who pride themselves on the way they’re able to take care of the ball, and their communication skills, OKC can pluck the ball out of the hands of an opponent on a fastbreak, a drive, as if they were walking right up to a kid and taking candy from their hands.
Of course, this all makes it sound like watching these two teams in perpetuity is going to look heavily lopsided for the Thunder. The matchup last night was a wallop for the West, for sure, but Cleveland showed why they’ve been coolly leading the East and the entire league. Rainbow threes from Mitchell, light lobs over the heads of every Thunder player — just then upturned to watch — between Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, and fadeaway shots from the corner care of Max Strus.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Roster G.G. Jackson made his 2024-25 debut, but not with the Memphis Grizzlies. Instead, he played for the Memphis Hustle, showcasing his potential and indicating future contributions to the Grizzlies. (Beale Street Bears)
Analysis The Memphis Grizzlies’ risky approach could make or break their championship ambitions. Strategic decisions and player performances are crucial for their success this season. (Beale Street Bears)
Fans Ja Morant recently sent an Instagram message to Yuki Kawamura. His interaction with fans and fellow athletes continues to inspire and build a strong community around the Memphis Grizzlies. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury Ja Morant’s injury news before the Grizzlies-Spurs game has NBA fans concerned. The impact on the team’s performance and Morant’s recovery remains a key focus. (Sports Illustrated)
Ranking The Memphis Grizzlies’ position in the latest NBA Power Rankings is critical, reflecting their recent performances and the challenges ahead as they strive to climb higher. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Grizzlies clash with the Spurs in San Antonio at 8:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Basketball News Roundup: The Tanking In Utah
Jan 11, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) looks on against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Joe Camporeale/Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers are taking tanking to a whole new level. The Jazz have been sitting players like John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, and Walker Kessler for various reasons. While I understand the incentives for tanking, the odds of getting the number one pick are not high. The NBA has been cracking down on teams resting healthy players, but these two franchises seem to be pushing the boundaries.
As a fantasy analyst, I’ve been advising people to avoid high picks from these teams due to the risk of shutdowns and reduced playing time. It’s frustrating to see this level of blatant tanking, especially when it impacts fantasy basketball managers.
The Memphis Grizzlies are another team to watch, with Ja Morant constantly appearing on the injury report. While they’re not tanking like Utah and Portland, Morant’s frequent injuries are concerning for fantasy managers.
In other news, Donte DiVincenzo is out with a toe sprain for the Knicks, which could lead to increased minutes for Mike Conley. However, I wouldn’t rush to add Conley in most leagues.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Grizzlies podcasts.
Memphis Grizzlies get embarrassed by Knicks as key stretch of season begins The good news is that Jaren Jackson Jr., who was named Western Conference Player of the Week Monday, performed about as expected against the New York Knicks. The bad news is just about everyone else struggled as the Knicks dominated the Grizzlies in the second half Monday night in New York. Host Joe Mullinax breaks it all down, plus discusses why this part of the schedule will define the season for Memphis, on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
After a strong week, should Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard be safe from trade talks? Luke Kennard, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane shined during two Grizzlies wins over the weekend. In this episode, co-hosts Damichael Cole and Joe Mullinax recap the two wins, discuss Kennard’s status on the trade block and preview Monday’s game against the Knicks.
Do the Memphis Grizzlies have a “big” problem in Zach Edey? Zach Edey’s momentum has slowed down in recent weeks. The Memphis Grizzlies coaching staff has seemed to take notice as Edey’s minutes have dwindled. What should be done to deal with Zach Edey’s “rookie wall”? Hosts Damichael Cole and Joe Mullinax discuss that, plus trade rumors quieting and the basketball weekend ahead in Memphis, on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
