It all began before the season even started<\/a>. During the off-season and pre-season, a number of Grizzlies players landed on the injured list, including Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Ty Jerome. Most underwent surgical procedures, delaying their timelines for return. Even when some of them worked their way back into the rotation, it wasn\u2019t long until they found themselves on the injury report again.<\/p>\n At the beginning of the regular season, Memphis leaned on Jaylen Wells, Cam Spencer, Jock Landale, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Santi Aldama, Cedric Coward, Javon Small, John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr., and Jahmai Mashack to carry the load during this stretch. While some of these players were later involved in the mid-season trade with Utah, at the time they were key members of the group who helped keep the team afloat.<\/p>\n Fast forward to the end of the regular season, and Memphis had just six healthy players available to face the Jazz on April 10. Six players. That\u2019s it. Even though those players deserve credit for competing through adversity, it also highlights the reality that a team simply cannot compete at the highest level when only six people are healthy enough to play.<\/p>\n Injuries are just part of the game, right? Doesn\u2019t every team deal with injuries? Yes, of course, injuries are part of the game, and every team will experience them at some point during the season. However, having more than half the team out with injuries at the same time is not normal, nor is it normal for the rotation to always be in question because so many players are sidelined.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?<\/p>\n As the Grizzlies move forward into the off-season and upcoming year ahead, the number one priority should be getting healthy. Injuries will happen, but if they can have a relatively constant starting five and bench rotation, the confidence and chemistry as a group will strengthen. This becomes especially important as Memphis begins the rebuilding process<\/a> and adds more talented pieces after the NBA Draft<\/a> this summer. With improved health, this team has tremendous potential, and next season they\u2019ll have a real chance to show it.<\/p>\n
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