MikeCheck: Jenkins faces healthy dilemma as Grizzlies operate with excess of rotation assets
Michael WallacePHOENIX – Fifty-two games into their schedule, the Grizzlies are coping with a challenge they haven’t faced all season.
Consider it a healthy dilemma.
“We have depth, we pretty much have everybody back ready to go,” Grizzlies swingman Vince Williams Jr. asserted. “Now, it’s just time to put all the pieces together and show how it all fits.”
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – FEBRUARY 08: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes to the basket between Alex Caruso #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at FedExForum on February 08, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images With two games left before the NBA All-Star break, the Grizzlies can take a significant step toward fine-tuning their primary playing rotation for the season’s stretch run. After emerging from last week’s trade deadline with a consolidated roster and then getting some key contributors back from injury absences, those pieces are finally settling into place.
Facing a difficult schedule and the challenge of establishing another level of chemistry on the fly, the Grizzlies don’t expect a seamless transition in their race to the regular-season finish line.
First comes a back-to-back set on the road Tuesday against the Suns and Wednesday against the Clippers. Those matchups continue a stretch in which Memphis plays 11 of 12 games against teams either with winning records or are currently positioned for the NBA postseason.
Having endured a turbulent path along the way, the Grizzlies (35-17) finally stumble upon some good health as they approach the midseason break nearly at full strength. But even with Desmond Bane’s return from a foot sprain and Williams recently working his way back from a lengthy ankle injury, Memphis has plenty of road ahead to reach peak form.
MEMPHIS, TN – FEBRUARY 8: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies blocks shot during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 8, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo by Grant Burke/NBAE via Getty Images “We’ve just got to keep working to get better,” coach Taylor Jenkins surmised in a frustrated tone. “Two more games. The (All-Star) break is going to happen for all 30 teams. I couldn’t care less when the break comes. We’ve just got to focus on getting better.”
Jenkins’ succinct comments came after the Grizzlies fell completely flat at home Saturday against the NBA-best Thunder (42-9) in a matchup of the top two teams in the Western Conference. OKC led by as many as 28 points in cruising to a 125-112 victory against a Memphis team that had its full complement of primary rotation players for the first time this season.
It was the latest example of the Grizzlies faltering against some of the NBA’s elite contenders and more physical opponents. Memphis is 9-13 this season against Western Conference teams with a .500 or better winning percentage.
The Grizzlies know they must bolster their track record against conference teams they could eventually line up against in the playoffs. In the meantime, the mission is to solidify their identity and sustain a healthy core of their top rotation players for an extended period.
MEMPHIS, TN – FEBRUARY 08: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies high fives Desmond Bane #22 during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 8, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images Memphis spent last season and most of this season leading the NBA in total games missed to player injuries. But with catalyst Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant and Bane active and surrounded by promising swingmen in Williams and GG Jackson, Jenkins is armed with extended options.
That’s a luxury that could impact how Jenkins handles his starting lineup and bench moving forward. The Grizzlies have used 11 players most of the season, with Jenkins extending his bench rotation even before the recent return of reinforcements in GG Jackson and Wiliams.
On Saturday against OKC, the Grizzlies opened with rookies Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey in their normal small forward and center roles, respectively. But their playing time was cut drastically in the second half as Jenkins shifted to Williams and veteran center Brandon Clarke in those roles.
It’s likely only Jackson Jr., Morant and Bane can count on extended minutes on a nightly basis. Beyond that, matchups and in-game performance may dictate the extent of opportunities for Williams, Wells, Edey, Clarke, GG Jackson, Santi Aldama, Luke Kennard and Scotty Pippen Jr.
MEMPHIS, TN – FEBRUARY 08: GG Jackson II #45 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 8, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images All 11 of those players have had productive-to-dominant stretches throughout the season.
“We have a lot of guys that are capable, and it’s going to be different people called on night in and night out,” Bane projected. “We have the utmost faith in everyone. But we have a lot of things we need to do better. Defend. Rebound. Be tougher on the offensive end. We still have a lot of games left to grow. But we need to look ourselves in the mirror and continue to improve.”
What that mirror should reveal is a Grizzlies team more flexible now than it’s been all season.
All of the rotation’s best options are available. Jenkins has a welcomed dilemma on his hands. He’s challenged to sort through the excess of assets to find elite-level winning combinations.
The Grizzlies have been waiting a long time to embrace a problem like this.
Published on Feb 10, 2025
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