Feb. 2, 2021: Pacers 134, Grizzlies 116

Memphis, playing the second game of a back-to-back, fell behind from the start.

Related story: Box score: Pacers 134, Grizzlies 116

Circumstances that need to be weighed include two unpopular trades, injuries and the playoff opponents. 

Feb. 1, 2021: Grizzlies 133, Spurs 102

Gorgui Dieng led with 19 points and went 3-for-3 from 3-point range, and the bench accounted for 62 points.

Justise Winslow hasn’t played a game in a Memphis uniform since the team traded for him over a year ago, and Jaren Jackson Jr. is taking longer to recovery from his knee surgery than he hoped. But the latest update is positive.

Another Grizzlies starter, Jaren Jackson Jr., who had meniscus surgery, will spend the month ramping up for a return to play, according to a league source. 

Here also is a compare-and-contrast injury evaluation for Jaren Jackson Jr. and Justise Winslow.

Jan. 30, 2021: Grizzlies 129, Spurs 112

As Brooks has struggled in a shooting slump, he also has improved his assist rate and slightly decreased his foul percentage.

Rob Fischer is the warm, cheerful sideline reporter for the Grizzlies TV broadcasts. He also suffers from suicidal depression. He’s telling his story because he thinks it may help. 

The Grizzlies still have not provided specifics about each player’s return timeline, and the league is already 25% through the season. 

While the postponements did halt the momentum of the Grizzlies, it could mean more games with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. on the floor together. 

There were a lot of questions posed, but also some assessments that wanted confirmation (like, what about Hasheem Thabeet?).

It’s not the break the team wanted, but the rash of postponements could help get Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. on the court together for more games. 

Ja Morant might be a longshot for the Olympics, but don’t count him out just yet. 

Plus: We’re accepting submissions to the mailbag, but with a twist.

The Grizzlies have now had six games postponed this season. 

The Grizzlies lead the NBA in steals per game and rank second in defensive efficiency behind the reigning champion Lakers. 

The NBA has postponed the Grizzlies’ next three games due to unavailable players and contact tracing. 

The postponement is due to COVID-19 contact tracing within the Grizzlies.