Memphis Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo declared his approach for the preseason finale when all of the team’s healthy players suited up against the Miami Heat on Oct. 17.

The Grizzlies used their final tune-up opportunity as a dress rehearsal, and so did the Heat.

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On a night where both teams featured guys who should play major roles, it was a Grizzlies player who didn’t enter the game until the fourth quarter who broke open the game. GG Jackson totaled 13 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Grizzlies to a 141-125 preseason win at the Kaseya Center.

Memphis finishes the preseason 1-4. The Heat will end the preseason at 0-6.

Here are some takeaways from the Grizzlies’ preseason win.

Ramping up the rotation

Iisalo used the final preseason game to continue the process of ramping up the minutes of available players. Jaren Jackson Jr. was in the lineup for the second consecutive game, and each of the team’s regular rotation players had increased roles.

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Ty Jerome left the game in the first quarter due to a right calf injury, so the point guard situation continues to look murky. Memphis was also without Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) for the third straight game, and Ja Morant (ankle) didn’t play in the preseason.

Jerome’s injury led to Javon Small getting a heavier usage, and he capitalized. The rookie second-round pick continued to show off his shooting and playmaking skills. He finished with 16 points and five assists, including four made 3-pointers on five attempts.

Jaylen Wells gets aggressive

Aggression has come in stretches for Jaylen Wells throughout the preseason. He saved his best game for last.

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Wells started the action knocking down a 3-pointer, and he continued that approach. It’s evident that the game is slowing down for Wells in his second season by his decisiveness. He finished with 21 points, three made 3-pointers and four rebounds in 22 minutes.

A strong offensive showing

Very few Grizzlies players have stood out in the preseason on the offensive end. Different players have had promising moments, but rarely has Memphis looked like a strong unit.

Against Miami, the Grizzlies looked like an offensive force. Several different players put up promising numbers. Other than Jerome, who only played four minutes, each of the other four Grizzlies starters made 3-pointers and scored in double figures. Small, GG Jackson, Cam Spencer and PJ Hall also reached double figures off the bench.

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What’s next

The Grizzlies are ending the preseason with a 1-4 record. The preseason wasn’t crisp for Memphis, but it doesn’t have to be. The regular season will begin for Memphis on Oct. 22 against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The status of Pippen, Morant and Jerome will be important to monitor.

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies highlights: Ty Jerome injured in first preseason win