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The Memphis Grizzlies have entered the 2023-24 marketing campaign driving the wrestle bus, dropping their first 4 video games. With Ja Morant suspended for the primary 25 games of the season, some dropping was to be anticipated, however not proper out of the gate like this. Final season, Memphis completed one recreation over .500 when Morant didn’t play. Two years in the past, the infant Grizz went 20-5 when Ja was out.
“We’ve misplaced seven in a row, eight in a row, by no means at the start of the season, so it doesn’t get as a lot publicity…adversity when in it at all times looks like a foul factor, however when you get by way of it, you change into stronger.”
Monday evening, the Grizzlies misplaced by 15 to the Dallas Mavericks at dwelling in a recreation that ended up being a three-man present for Memphis. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmon Bane each scored 30 factors, adopted by Marcus Good with 23. Nobody else posted greater than 9 factors. What makes this loss even worse is that Mavs guard Kyrie Irving didn’t swimsuit up. Irving was out with a foot injury, and Dallas had no points smashing Memphis.
With 21 video games remaining on Morant’s suspension, the Grizzlies want to seek out a few of that mojo from the previous couple of years that obtained them by way of Ja’s absences. Smart might be new to the roster and nonetheless studying to gel together with his teammates, however he’s a veteran within the affiliation, and ought to be taking over a management position.
Up subsequent for the Grizz, they’ve obtained a three-game street journey out west to Utah, then back-to-back video games with Portland. If they will’t come away with not less than one victory towards these groups, Memphis could possibly be in such a steep gap when Morant returns that they may as effectively hand over their shovels.
Morant shall be eligible to play simply earlier than Christmas. Nobody expects Memphis to be in first place with out Ja, however they’ve obtained to get up, and get issues rotated quickly. Ought to they find yourself with a document of, say, 5-20 with out Morant, their season could possibly be carried out earlier than we hit the brand new 12 months.
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