The injury bug continues to haunt the Memphis Grizzlies, as Jaren Jackson Jr. became their latest casualty during the first day of training camp, per reports.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the one-time NBA All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year experienced hamstring tightness during the first camp practice, and the team suspects it to be a strain.
And if head coach Taylor Jenkins’ hunch is right, it is feared that Jackson could miss the first few weeks of the 2024-25 campaign, according to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon.
“If the diagnosis confirmed what Jenkins said the Grizzlies are expecting — a hamstring strain for the 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year — Jackson would likely miss a substantial portion of Memphis’ preseason and, potentially, Memphis’ season opener Oct. 23 against Utah, depending on the severity of the strain,” Vardon wrote in his column.
Losing Jaren Jackson Jr. to injury is a big blow for the Memphis Grizzlies since he was one of their brightest spots last season, averaging 22.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.6 blocks on 44.4 percent shooting from the field in 66 regular season games.
Memphis Grizzlies are expected to be cautious with Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Memphis Grizzlies will take their time with Jaren Jackson Jr.’s recovery as he will play a pivotal role in their playoff push. Before his current malaise, Jackson had already gone through multiple injuries, including a torn meniscus that needed season-ending surgery in 2020-21.
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With Jackson sidelined, Zach Edey, Santi Aldama, and Jake LaRavia will be asked to step up and support Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Marcus Smart.
The Memphis Grizzlies are coming off a forgettable 2023-24 campaign, where they finished with a 27-55 record, good for 13th in the Western Conference.
