MikeCheck: Jackson ‘progressing the right way’ as Grizzlies, Southwest teams target hot starts
Michael WallaceMEMPHIS – The prognosis was promising, although not completely precise.
As Jaren Jackson Jr. recently glanced across a gym crowded with youngsters participating in his annual basketball camp, the two-time NBA All-Star couldn’t contain his own youthful energy.
Well into his recovery and rehab from early July toe surgery, Jackson set an optimistic tone when reflecting on his progress and prospects for a healthy return as the Grizzlies gear up for the start of training camp later this month.
Jackson, however, stopped just short of declaring exactly when he’ll be fully available.
“I’m aiming for whatever my body is telling me, but I’m progressing the right way,” said Jackson, who celebrated his 26th birthday this week. “I’m feeling good. I’m doing what I need to do. Every day has been a building block, so I’m just trying to make it to whatever (timeframe). I think everybody is going to be happy.”
Of course, the sooner Jackson can return to full health, the happier Grizzlies’ fans will be as Memphis embarks on a pivotal season. After signing a max-level contract extension this summer, Jackson is aligned with Memphis for the long term as he partners with superstar point guard Ja Morant in efforts to restore the Grizzlies among the West’s top contenders.
Jackson is coming off one of the most productive seasons of his seven-year NBA career after averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals in 74 games. The Grizzlies certainly will take a deliberate and cautious approach with Jackson in camp.
Whether or not he’s ready when the Oct. 22 opener against New Orleans arrives will be a key factor in how well the Grizzlies start their first full season under coach Tuomas Iisalo. Throughout the summer, Jackson has worked to retool both is body and mind.
That process included spending time recently with Hall of Fame forward Kevin Garnett, who has mentored Jackson since his 2018 rookie season after landing in Memphis as the No. 4 pick.
“I pulled up on KG, I had my laptop, and I had questions,” Jackson said of the mid-summer session the two shared. “I’m happy to have somebody like that to give you advice on whatever you need. His door is open. If you seek him out, he’ll be there for you. He’s that guy.”
When Jackson gets full clearance to be that guy for the Grizzlies represents one of the most compelling footnotes in the Southwest Division entering the season.
With training camps opening in less than two weeks, I’ve joined insiders and analysts covering the Grizzlies, Mavericks, Pelicans, Rockets and Spurs to preview the Southwest Division’s top storylines. Our six-part series continues by exploring team chemistry and how vital a productive start will be for every squad in the division.
Part 5: What are the odds your team gets off to a jackrabbit start? Or, is the schedule built for a momentum-building run down the stretch? How much time will it take to build chemistry?
GRIZZLIES – MW, Grind City Media
Considering Jaren Jackson Jr. is recovering from offseason toe surgery and second-year center Zach Edey is rehabbing from ankle surgery; the Grizzlies won’t have their full footing entering camp and the start of the season. While the projection for Jackson’s return is sooner than Edey’s, their absence or return process will impact the start of the season. Building real momentum might take a minute.
The schedule opens with a three-game homestand, which could provide a needed boost to establish early momentum. But then it quickly toughens up as the Grizzlies face 10 opponents from last season’s playoff field in a 13-game stretch. Treading water around the .500 mark would be encouraging until reinforcements arrive. A 10-day January trip to Europe to play two games forces Memphis to face five sets of back-to-backs between Christmas week and February’s All-Star break.
MAVERICKS – Eddie Sefko, Mavs.com
If the Mavericks hope to build chemistry early, they won’t have to go far to do it. Their first five games are at home as are 13 of their first 18 are at American Airlines Center. Getting off to a slow start would be inexcusable. Now, as for the final portion of the season? Good luck.
The Mavericks play 19 of their final 30 games on the road and have only three home games between Feb. 6 and March 12, although the All-Star break eats up some of that span. And they have some meaningful games late as eight of nine opponents starting March 21 will be teams that were in the playoffs last season.
PELICANS – Jim Eichenhofer, Pelicans.com
When you play in the West, you should always expect the schedule to be difficult. The challenge for New Orleans in attempting to start fast is complicated by its first 10 games, which include seven on the road. A three-game trip sandwiched around Halloween might be the most formidable any road team faces over the course of the entire season, with stops at Denver (second in NBA.com’s West power rankings), the Clippers (fifth) and Oklahoma City (first, defending NBA champions).
Fortunately for the Pelicans, the early home/road split dramatically flips in the other direction for virtually the rest of November and December, with 17 of the next 22 games taking place in the Smoothie King Center. Among those 22 contests, 16 are against the West, potentially creating a make-or-break stretch for the club’s hopes of becoming a legitimate factor in the postseason race.
ROCKETS – Danielle Lerner, Houston Chronicle
The Rockets will be on the road for 17 of their first 26 games through a Christmas Day tilt at the Lakers, which might make chemistry difficult to establish. Most of Houston’s marquee matchups are before the All-Star break, including all three games against Oklahoma City, an NBA Cup game at Golden State and three games against Phoenix featuring former Rockets Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks.
The second half of the season is significantly lighter on travel. The Rockets play 28 of their last 46 games at Toyota Center and seven of their 11 home games in the final month of the season are against opponents that made the playoffs last season, which could be a useful tune-up for the postseason.
SPURS – Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News
The schedule-makers set the Spurs up with a decent chance to make a quick impression in the upcoming season, with only six of their first 17 games coming against 2024-25 playoff teams. Only one of those – the Golden State Warriors – advanced past the first round.
The Spurs’ annual February rodeo road trip isn’t as daunting as it could be, broken up by the All-Star game and a pair of “home” games in Austin. Down the stretch, they face eight of 11 on the road in March and early April before closing with a four-game homestand that could make or break their chances of playing past the end of the regular season.
Published on Sep 19, 2025
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