NASHVILLE – Power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is likely to sit out the next few weeks to recover from a minor hamstring injury as the Grizzlies continue preparing for the start of the season.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins confirmed Wednesday that an MRI revealed Jackson sustained a low-level hamstring strain during the team’s opening training camp practice Tuesday.
Jenkins characterized the test results as “good news” in that the Grizzlies avoided a major blow after enduring one of the most injury-ravaged seasons in NBA history last year.
A specific timeframe has yet to be set for when Jackson, a former All-Star and 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, will return to action. But Jenkins suggested there isn’t a concern at the moment regarding Jackson’s availability for the team’s Oct. 23 season opener at Utah.
“We’re going to be cautious throughout the preseason, so there’s not a firm timeline,” Jenkins said after Wednesday’s practice of Jackson’s recovery. “It’s good news, and we’ll kind of unpack the next couple of days. Right now, nothing has been ruled out.”
Jackson experienced tightness in his hamstring after driving to the basket during the Grizzlies practice on Tuesday to open training camp. The 6-11 veteran forward was not seen with the team in the gym during the final stages of practice that were open to the media on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Jackson appeared in good spirits as he held a basketball on the sidelines and spoke with coaches, trainers and teammates while the Grizzlies finished their second day of practice. The team concludes its three-day training camp at The Ensworth School with a workout Thursday before returning to Memphis on Friday.
Although the Grizzlies suffered injuries throughout the roster on the way to a 27-55 season, Jackson played 66 games and posted career highs in scoring (22.5) and steals (1.3) while adding nearly six rebounds and two blocks per game.
The Grizzlies were optimistic about opening camp for the first time in three years with their core of Jackson, point guard Ja Morant and swingman Desmond Bane all healthy and available. The goal of having them gel early as the team installs new concepts on offense and defense will have to wait until Jackson returns to action.
“What sets us apart is how we prepare and our attention to detail is at an all-time high, especially this year,” Jackson said during Monday’s team media day about entering a new season alongside Morant and Bane. “We’ve taken so many leaps in how we’ve taken care of ourselves on and off the court with our bodies. We pick each other’s brains in how we can get better. Work on your body, your mind, your movements and your speed. Everything.”
Memphis is already pushing through camp amid the absences of promising young wing players in GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr., who will both miss the start of the season. GG Jackson is likely sidelined until early December as he recovers from offseason foot surgery. Williams is expected to miss a month to recover from a stress fracture in his leg before he’s reevaluated.
The Grizzlies have options and available assets to address any depth concerns should they arise. Team president and general manager Zach Kleiman said earlier this week that at least one of the Grizzlies’ two open roster spots would be filled by the start of the regular season.
Memphis has the league-maximum of 20 players on its training camp roster, but only 13 players under standard NBA contracts. By league rules, teams must fill at least 14 of the maximum 15 players on standard contracts by the second week of the regular season.
Kleiman is eager to turn the page from last season, when the Grizzlies used 51 different starting lineups and had a combined 564 games missed to player injuries or illness. But there’s a fresh outlook and enthusiasm ahead of what the franchise expects to be a bounce-back season.
“There is an inherent element to this sport where injuries happen,” Kleiman said. “I have a lot of confidence in the guys here working to keep the guys on the court, working to get them back on the court. We have a lot of confidence in who will be able to step up in these next-man-up situations. But of course, we want to see the group as a coherent whole and we’re optimistic in what that could be. But we have who we have and we’re going to go make the most of it.”
Jenkins believes the Grizzlies have versatile options to pick up Jackson’s workload until he returns. Santi Aldama, Jake LaRavia and John Konchar will get opportunities throughout the preseason to fill in at power forward as the coaching staff tests various lineup combinations.
Aldama, entering his fourth season, is coming off a run in the Paris Olympics where he led Spain’s national team in scoring. LaRavia saw significant action late last season and continued his improved play as a leader of the Grizzlies’ summer league team that reached the title game in Las Vegas. Konchar has been a productive and versatile veteran when called off the bench.
“This is a great opportunity throughout the preseason as we’re cautious with (Jackson),” Jenkins reiterated. “Santi is playing at a high level. We saw that in the Olympics. He’s coming in with this man-on-a-mission mentality. So, it’s a combination of Santi, Jake and (Konchar), with his ability to play in unique lineups. We’ll figure that out as we go. But there’s a number of guys that will have an opportunity, with us being cautious with Jaren.”