The Memphis Grizzlies are facing one of the season’s most difficult stretches. With only 20 games remaining, the margin for error in the Western Conference is only so small. If the Grizzlies want to reassert themselves as one of the juggernauts in the West, they’ll need to sharpen their defense.
Grizzlies Defense Slipping With Playoff Push Underway
Sidelined DPOY Candidate Leaves Gaping Void In Grizzlies Defense
The Grizzlies are 3-8 in their last 11 games. Since the All-Star break, their defense has plummeted to fourth-worst in the NBA. Their 120.2 defensive rating is a shocking metric for one of the association’s best two-way teams. Memphis’ defense faces even more challenges as their DPOY candidate will be sidelined for an extended period. All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. rolled his left ankle on a contest at the rim early in their loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He didn’t return to the game after suffering the injury and has since been ruled week-to-week.
The @memgrizz today announced the following medical update for Jaren Jackson Jr. pic.twitter.com/vsNuzsb6ue
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) March 4, 2025
Jaren Jackson Jr. is averaging 22.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 59 starts. He’s also shooting just a shade under 50% from the field and 36.5% from three-point land. The team’s defense paces a 107.3 defensive rating when Jackson Jr. is on the court. Amongst all Grizzlies who have registered at least 1000 minutes this season, that’s the best mark on the team. Even with Jackson Jr.’s formidable defensive presence, how did a once-promising defensive unit plummet so quickly?
Advanced Stats Highlight Grizzlies Defensive Struggles
Memphis is 2-6 since the All-Star break. They’ve watched the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, and Atlanta Hawks celebrate game-winners on their home court in three of their last four games. The Grizzlies haven’t been able to stop a nosebleed over the past couple of weeks and opponents have been shooting efficiently from anywhere on the court. Since the break, they’re 29th in opponent field goal percentage, 25th in opponent-forced turnovers per game, and are dead last in points allowed. Memphis has also had major issues inside the paint and chasing opponents off the three-point line. Post All-Star weekend, they’re 28th in opponent 3P%.
For one of the most potent offenses in the NBA, the Grizzlies have struggled immensely stringing together stops. No single deficiency defines why their defense has regressed to the league bottom. With continued fight and attention to detail, the Grizzlies can turn it around. Over their last four games, 11 Memphis players are averaging at least 19 minutes. Though the vast depth is valuable, the miscues and unfamiliarity with each other can lead to defensive breakdowns in drop coverage, switches, communication, etc. If head coach Taylor Jenkins can maintain more concise rotations as the playoffs approach, it may minimize the lapses the Grizzlies defense has endured over the past couple of weeks.
Grizzlies Look to Lean On Impactful Rookie Defenders
Each of the top four defensive Grizzlies four-man lineups since the break features an assortment of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaylen Wells, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Zach Edey. Wells has been their most consistent and impactful point-of-attack defender this season. The former Division II player of the year has been remarkable in picking up the game’s elite three-level scorers full court from tip-off and making them earn every bucket they can get. The team-advanced defensive metrics don’t add up to the eye test, but make no mistake, Wells has established himself as a significant component of the Grizzlies defense.
After their 120-103 home loss at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Grizzlies Jenkins gave his thoughts on what he should expect from rookie center Edey in the future. He said, “His presence is there, I want him to continue to communicate more, that’s a challenge that I want him to do especially now this is going to be the opportunity as he’s kind of assuming more of that anchor position you know, at the back line of our defense.”
With Edey filling in as a defensive rim presence for Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies still can be a very impactful defense in the Western Conference. Other complementary swing guards Vince Williams Jr., Scotty Pippen Jr., and Luke Kennard will need to elevate their play on the perimeter to help Edey seamlessly fill Jackson Jr.’s void. Memphis is only two games back of the second seed but also four games ahead of the Play-In. The Grizzlies defense descended so rapidly without Jackson Jr. after the All-Star break. With only 20 games left in the regular season, they still have the time and talent to turn it around, even in his absence.
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