Tag: JAREN JACKSON JR

Grizzlies waive three, finalize opening day roster

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The Memphis Grizzlies finalized their opening day roster for the 2023-24 season on Saturday after they waived guard Shaquille Harrison, forward Adonis Arms, and guard David Johnson.

The Grizzlies will tip off the regular season against the New Orleans Pelicans at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at FedExForum.

Harrison (6-4, 195), who signed with the Grizzlies on Aug. 31, totaled two points, 11 rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks in four preseason appearances. The 2021-22 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year has appeared in 180 regular season games (23 starts) over six NBA seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets and Portland Trail Blazers. 

Arms (6-6, 205) signed with Memphis on Oct. 18. Undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Texas Tech, the 25-year-old Milwaukee native competed in 46 games (28 starts) for the Memphis Hustle and Grand Rapids Gold during the 2022-23 NBA G League Showcase and regular season and averaged 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 25.1 minutes.

Johnson (6-4, 205) signed with the Grizzlies on Oct. 18. A native of Louisville who played for the Cardinals collegiately, the 22-year-old has appeared in 73 games for Raptors 905 over his last two seasons in the NBA G League and played two NBA games for the Toronto Raptors during the 2021-22 season after he was selected 47th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Last season, the Grizzlies were 51-31 and finished second in the Western Conference. However, they were eliminated in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers. Memphis will be without their best player, Ja Morant, who was suspended for the first 25 games of the season.

Last season, the Grizzlies were 51-31 and finished second in the Western Conference. However, they were eliminated in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers. Memphis will be without their best player Ja Morant, who was suspended the first 25 games of the season.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 2023-24 OPENING NIGHT ROSTER

No.

Player

Pos.

Ht.

Wt.

Birthdate

Prior to NBA/Home Country

Yrs

4

Steven Adams

C

6-11

265

7/20/1993

Pittsburgh/New Zealand

10

7

Santi Aldama

F

6-11

224

1/10/2001

Loyola (MD)/Spain

2

22

Desmond Bane

G/F

6-6

215

6/25/1998

TCU/USA

3

15

Brandon Clarke

F

6-7 ¾

210

9/19/1996

Gonzaga/Canada

4

0

Jacob Gilyard 2W

G

5-9

160

7/14/1998

Richmond/USA

1

45

GG Jackson II 2W

F

6-9

215

12/17/2004

South Carolina/USA

R

13

Jaren Jackson Jr.

F/C

6-11

242

9/15/1999

Michigan State/USA

5

10

Luke Kennard

G/F

6-5

206

6/24/1996

Duke/USA

6

46

John Konchar

G/F

6-4 ¾

210

3/22/1996

Fort Wayne/USA

4

3

Jake LaRavia

F

6-7

235

11/3/2001

Wake Forest/USA

1

6

Kenneth Lofton Jr.

F/C

6-8

275

8/14/2002

Louisiana Tech/USA

1

12

Ja Morant

G

6-2 ½

175

8/10/1999

Murray State/USA

4

21

David Roddy

F

6-5

255

3/27/2001

Colorado State/USA

1

23

Derrick Rose

G

6-3

200

10/4/1988

Memphis/USA

14

36

Marcus Smart

G

6-3

220

3/6/1994

Oklahoma State/USA

9

2

Xavier Tillman Sr.

F/C

6-8

245

1/12/1999

Michigan State/USA

3

5

Vince Williams Jr. 2W

G/F

6-6

205

8/30/2000

VCU/USA

1

8

Ziaire Williams

G/F

6-9

185

9/12/2001

Stanford/USA

2

* – 2W indicates a Two-Way Player who will be eligible to play for the Memphis Grizzlies and the NBA G League’s Memphis Hustle.

Cavs fall short against Memphis

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The Cavaliers hoped to end their three-game homestand with a win Tuesday night, but they ran into the red-hot Memphis Grizzlies, who came in winners of five straight.

Memphis was up 102-100 with just under two minutes left, and from there, Ja Morant took over. He scored Memphis’ final eight points, including six in the last 30 seconds as the Grizzlies defeated Cleveland 110-106 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Morant led Memphis with 26 points to go along with six assists and five rebounds. The Grizzlies had six players in double figures.

Memphis(25-14) has won six straight, and Cleveland(21-17) ended their three-game homestand 1-2 and have lost four out of their last five.

The Great for the Cavaliers:

-Jarrett Allen had his second straight double with 22 points and 12 rebounds. He also added three blocks. Allen has recorded 20-plus points in two out of his last three appearances.

-Darius Garland had 27 points and 10 assists and only one turnover in his first game back after missing four games due to health and safety protocols. It was Garland’s fifth straight 20-point game. 

-Evan Mobley had 17 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. Mobley recorded his 15th multi-block game of the season, which leads all rookies

-Kevin Love is turning himself into a sixth-man of the year candidate. The five-time All-Star had 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. This was Love’s 14th straight game in double figures.

The Not Great for the Cavaliers:

Late Game Execution: After Ja Morant made a tough layup, Cleveland trailed 106-104 with 29.9 seconds left and had a chance to tie or take the lead. However, Brandon Goodwin’s pass was stolen by Morant. Cleveland had to take a foul, and Morant made both free throws to put the game away.

You have to get a shot up in that situation, and the Cavaliers did not do that. 

“We’re learning that the fourth quarters are what’s important,” Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said postgame. “Every shot, every pass, every possession, every box out, every rotation means everything. Give Memphis credit for hitting the shots at the end.”

Bottom Line:

This was a battle of two young teams, who are both playing good basketball, and the Grizzlies were able to get the job done. Not a bad loss for the Cavs, but these are the games they have to learn how to win. 

Also, it was great to see Garland out there on the court. He’s the team’s best player and the guy that makes this team dynamic. 

Now it’s time to head west as the Cavs begin a six-game road trip.

What’s Next:

On Friday, Cleveland will travel to Portland to battle the Blazers 

Best of the Rest:

-Jaren Jackson Jr added 22 points, and Brandon Clarke had 13 points and nine rebounds for Memphis.

-Cedi Osman (Health and Safety Protocols) missed his sixth straight game.  

-Collin Sexton was in attendance for the time since his surgery to repair a torn meniscus.