The Grizzlies lost their final preseason game, but they are prepared for the regular season
The Grizzlies lost the final preseason game but still had some promising performances.
The Memphis Grizzlies had a promising run during the 2024/25 preseason, amassing a 3-2 record. They did this despite not having most of their star players during the five-game slate, as some players have become standout prospects for Coach Taylor Jenkins.
Ja Morant and Desmond Bane played 25+ minutes, scoring a combined 36 points. It was a solid performance, as they did not have to play all the quarters, and just needed some run before the regular season.
The Grizzlies lost the final preseason game 114 to 109 against the Miami Heat, and while it was still a loss, there were some positive takeaways from it.
Morant and Bane are ready to be one of the best backcourt duos
After playing only nine games together in the 2023/24 season, Morant and Bane's backcourt duo has become largely forgotten by the NBA community. They were always near the top of the backcourt rankings in the past, but the lack of games in the previous campaign has hampered their reputation.
Since they only played three quarters in this game against Miami, they had a short time to showcase their productivity. They looked like their usual selves, working well together and flowing well within the offense. They scored those points and dished out 13 assists as a duo, helping strengthen Coach Jenkins' system.
Aldama is ready for big minutes
Since Santi Aldama will be playing heavy minutes as the backup power forward, this performance against the Heat was a promising night. He only played 23 minutes but scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
It was a promising game from the Spaniard, as he shot 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. That has been the area of his game that has needed improvement, so shooting 71.4% from three in a game should be a sign of what's to come with his efficiency.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is still questionable for the start of the 2024/25 season, as Santi will be playing as the starter. With this kind of game, the Spanish forward could become one of Coach Jenkins' favorites.
Wells could become important for the Grizzlies
Jaylen Wells only played 19 minutes in this game, but he showed why the Grizzlies organization is excited about his development. He is a legitimate sharpshooter, which could be the key to unlocking the Grizzlies' offense.
At only 21 years old, Wells can become a vital piece for Memphis. It will be challenging to crack the rotation when everyone is healthy, like GG Jackson II and Luke Kennard, but the organization sees Jaylen's potential to become a major contributor in the long term.
The Grizzlies' preseason slate has concluded, and they are now preparing for the regular season. They tip off the 24/25 season with a game on the road against the Utah Jazz on October 23.
Related: Grizzlies eat up a chunk of ESPN's top-ranked playersThis story was originally published October 18, 2024, 11:37 PM.
