DALLAS – Eventually, something had to change.
Jaren Jackson Jr. was certain it would. So much so, the Grizzlies star forward and NBA reigning Defensive Player of the Year refused to get rattled, shift his focus or accept any of the negative vibes that threatened to thwart the season before it really had a chance to start.
Even as the Grizzlies stumbled through a 6-19 start when Ja Morant served a 25-game suspension to open the season, Jackson absorbed some bumps and bruises while posting career numbers.
And even as injuries and attrition forced Memphis to roll out 18 different starting units through the first 36 games, Jackson has been the lone player in the lineup for each and every one.
With the Grizzlies experiencing their most encouraging extended stretch, it’s not by coincidence the longest-tenured member of the franchise is at the forefront of the upswing.
“It’s been great,” Jackson said of pushing through the most durable stretch of his six-year career to start a season. “I just want to play – that’s really it. I don’t want to do anything else. I’m glad I’m able to play a lot of games, and I just want to keep it going and see how far we get.”
Not only has Jackson started each of the Grizzlies’ first 36 games for the first time in his career, he’s also performing on the offensive end at a level he’d previously never reached.
Coming off consecutive notable performances to lead his team to road wins over the Lakers and Suns, Jackson is averaging career highs in minutes (31.6), scoring (21.3), shot attempts (15.7), free-throw attempts (6.1) and assists (1.7).
The masterclasses Jackson orchestrated against future Hall of Famers in LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant shed a brighter spotlight on what he’s delivered for much of the season.
On Friday in Los Angeles, Jackson mixed up his game to near perfection by attacking James and Davis in the lane to use his speed and length. When the Lakers adjusted by double-teaming Jackson or crowding the paint, Jackson stepped out and punished them from the perimeter.
He finished with a team-high 31 points, nine rebounds and three blocks while shooting 11-for-14 from the field, including 5-for-6 on threes. Jackson’s 31 points came on a night when the Grizzlies had four players score at least 20 for only the 12th time in team history.
His five 3-pointers were among 23 Memphis knocked down from beyond the arc to set a franchise road record in the Grizzlies’ 127-113 win over the Lakers.
Then Sunday in Phoenix, Jackson’s game-high 28 points, 10 rebounds and career-high six assists fueled a dominant fourth quarter push as the Grizzlies emerged with a 121-115 victory. It’s the first time this season Memphis has scored at least 120 points in consecutive games.
The Suns set their defensive strategy on limiting Jackson after he scored his season-high of 37 points in a losing effort against them last month. Jackson proved just as unstoppable this time, especially in the fourth quarter when the Grizzlies held a 35-18 edge.
“I just think he’s expanded his game and is making it tough for people to guard him one-on-one, especially big players,” Durant said of Jackson’s balanced approach. “He can shoot it and go left well. He has good floaters, he’s strong, and he’s shooting the three. You have to give him credit for expanding his game well.”
Collectively, the Grizzlies (13-23) are also expanding their confidence and potential after a tumultuous start as the schedule winds toward the season’s midway point. They are 7-4 in their last 11 games since Morant returned from suspension last month, and they look to sweep the current three-game trip Tuesday in Dallas when they face the Mavericks.
The past two games have been a microcosm of the season. Despite their struggles at home, the Grizzlies are 10-10 on the road, which ties for the second-most road victories in the West. They also have a knack for rallying from early adversity.
Against the Lakers and Suns, Memphis overcame 13-point deficits with strong closing play in the fourth quarters, outscoring those foes by a combined 68-35 margin in the final frames. The Grizzlies have rallied for wins a league-high seven times after trailing entering fourth quarters.
The keys have been timely rebounding, ball-movement, spacing and effective 3-point shooting.
After dishing a season-high 33 assists in Los Angeles, the Grizzlies followed with 29 in Phoenix. In the two games combined, Memphis shot 40-for-89 (44.9%) on 3-pointers. That’s in stark contrast to the numbers the Grizzlies were producing the first two months of the season.
“We’ve been fighting all season long, but you know, it’s taken a turn right now and they’re seeing the results for it,” coach Taylor Jenkins said. “And we’re having fun doing it. The work they’ve been putting in the last week or so, just chipping on that rock just one day at a time, one conversation at a time in film sessions, one game at a time. It’s two games playing really well. We know we’ve got a long way to go, for sure. But their ownership over the last two games is just representative of the team that we need to be.”
Jenkins and the coaching staff believe the leadership, durability and adaptability of players such as Jackson and guard Desmond Bane have provided a firm foundation.
“We’re obviously giving him the ball in certain spots on the block and on the elbow,” Jenkins said of where Jackson has grown comfortable initiating offense. “He’s seeing a lot of different coverages, but he’s doing a really good job of playing with good force, but also great balance.”
That balance is now reflected throughout the primary playing rotation.
And it starts with the lone player yet to miss a call to action this season.
“I’ve been working on my game,” Jackson said. “And when you work on your game so much, things have to change. You never should be the same player year to year. You have to make sure you add something. I’m just trying to make sure I do that.”
With all the nuances that have emerged in his game this season, Jackson’s best ability is perhaps his availability through the ups and downs.
Sustaining the current upswing is the priority.
This uphill climb into the Western Conference playoff picture remains steep. But if there’s one team you don’t want to see over your shoulder creeping up on you in the standings, it’s this recent installment of the Grizzlies.
They win on the road.
They’re absolutely fearless in fourth quarters.
When healthy and sparked by this version of Jackson, they’re a headache to defend on one end. And a defensive headache to deal with on the other.