{"id":120689,"date":"2025-01-31T12:46:34","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T17:46:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=120689"},"modified":"2025-01-31T12:46:34","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T17:46:34","slug":"grizzlies-current-lack-of-point-of-attack-defender-depth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/01\/31\/grizzlies-current-lack-of-point-of-attack-defender-depth\/","title":{"rendered":"Grizzlies’ Current Lack of Point of Attack Defender Depth"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the main underlying reasons behind the Memphis Grizzlies’ resurgence in the Western Conference this season has been their adequate depth and two-way versatility. Despite ranking in the top seven<\/a> in the association in both offensive and defensive rating, the Grizzlies have experienced an exasperating stretch on the defensive end. In January, the Grizzlies currently rank a putrid 26th<\/a> in defensive rating. Additionally, the Grizzlies have the 28th-ranked<\/a> three-point defense.<\/p>\n

As the regular season continues, the Grizzlies hope to enter the midseason intermission with some significant momentum. The glaring point-of-attack void from Grizzlies’ defender specialists Vince Williams Jr.<\/a> and Marcus Smart<\/a> has been missed dearly as of late. Their contributions would be essential for a unit that hopes to return to the defensive prominence that was epitomized earlier this season.<\/p>\n

Grizzlies’ Current Lack of Point-of-Attack Defender Depth<\/h2>\n

The injury report has become a place of the norm for Grizzlies’ swingman guard Marcus Smart since he arrived in Memphis. Smart suffered a partial extensor hood tear in his right index finger back in late December. Since joining the Grizzlies in 2023, Smart has been available for 38 out of a possible 130 games. Per Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, Marcus Smart remains week-to-week as he recovers from the finger injury. Though a small sample size of just 18 games, the Grizzlies pace a 105.5<\/a> defensive rating with Smart on the floor.<\/p>\n

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Marcus Smart isn\u2019t practicing fully with the team yet. He\u2019s doing individual.<\/p>\n

Still \u201cweek-to-week,\u201d according to Taylor Jenkins.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) January 29, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n