Jackson rings in Golden State.
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Golden State Warriors 116-107 in the 2023-2024 NBA regular season at the FedExForum in Memphis on Saturday night.
When it comes to the most unlucky team in the NBA this season, it’s hard to look past Memphis. After emerging as an up-and-coming powerhouse, earning the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference for the second straight year, the Grizzlies 안전카지노사이트 are 15-25 this season and sit in 13th place.
A devastating injury bug has hit them. They had to make do with Zach Morant missing time due to suspension, but the nightmare began before the season even started when Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke went down with long-term injuries.
Injuries continued to plague Memphis, with more starters out than in. The return of Morant seemed to spark a rebound, but nine games into his return, he was out for the season with shoulder surgery. Add to that the losses of Marcus Smart and Desmond Baines, and four of the five starters were gone from the court except for Jaren Jackson Jr.
Memphis was coming off a three-game winning streak, but the last two games proved to be insurmountable, and they dropped two straight.
However, there was a glimmer of hope in the 94-point loss to New York. Rookie GG Jackson, who was given a chance due to a rash of injuries, played 27 minutes and impressed with 20 points, six rebounds, and two blocked shots.
Head coach Tyler Jenkins gave Jackson plenty of opportunities in the ensuing game against Golden State, and he responded. The youngster from 2004 scored 23 points and grabbed six rebounds to help the team snap a two-game losing streak.
Coming off the bench, Jackson hit back-to-back three-pointers early in the second quarter to pull his team within striking distance. Jackson’s three from beyond the arc tied the game at one. He stayed on the court from there, scoring back-to-back baskets early in the fourth quarter to help Memphis pull away.
After Jackson’s blowout, Golden State walked off the court bitterly. Few thought Memphis could pull out the win against a Golden State team that also had Draymond Green back. With his performance, Jackson became the second-youngest player in NBA history to score 20 or more points in back-to-back games, joining LeBron James.
Born on December 17, 2004, Jackson is the youngest player currently in the NBA and is a forward from the University of South Carolina. He was a highly touted prospect with a combination of size, athleticism, and shooting, but had the feel of a raw, unpolished stone. He didn’t go that high in the draft, being selected by Memphis with the 45th overall pick.
Since then, Jackson has played mostly in the G-League, making only occasional appearances in the NBA. However, with the team’s roster decimated by a string of injuries, he’s gotten plenty of opportunities to play in the NBA.
Memphis will have to rely on young players like Jackson for the time being. It’s a tough time for the team, but a golden opportunity for him. If he continues to perform like he did tonight, his role on the team will only grow.