MEMPHIS – Nothing quite symbolizes the Grizzlies’ growth during one of their most challenging campaigns in recent years than the in-season journey of Kenny Lofton Jr.
When training camp opened seven months ago, Lofton’s goal was to simply make the team. When the regular season ended for Memphis in Oklahoma City, the undrafted rookie free-agent signee had made franchise history.
After closing with a 51-31 record and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, the Grizzlies now prepare to host Game 1 of their first-round series Sunday at FedExForum. The winner of Tuesday’s NBA Play-In tournament game between the No. 7-seeded Lakers and No. 8-seeded Timberwolves will advance to face the Grizzlies in a best-of-7 series.
Although the Grizzlies don’t quite know their next opponent yet, they do know there’s another post player they can rely on in the playoff mix to boost their frontcourt depth.
“I just tried to go out and show what I can do, to show my talents,” Lofton said of setting the single-game franchise rookie scoring record by posting 42 points, 14 rebounds and a steal in 41 minutes during Sunday’s season finale against Oklahoma City. “Now, it’s just about taking all the opportunities I can in order to get better.”
Lofton’s outburst came a day after his two-way developmental deal was converted into a new four-year standard NBA contract. The performance came in a 115-100 loss during a game in which both teams rested most of their primary rotation players.
But what the Grizzlies established in the process is another shining example of the success of their developmental pipeline. By converting Lofton’s contract before Sunday’s finale, Memphis can now use the NBA G League’s Rookie of the Year in the playoffs to bolster frontcourt depth.
The move came in conjunction with news that veteran center Steven Adams will remain unavailable to start the playoffs next week. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins confirmed to Grind City Media on Sunday that Adams is not yet cleared to return to action after consultations between the team and specialists who reviewed a follow-up MRI Adams underwent last week.
The Grizzlies’ medical team and Adams remain in consultation on potential next steps, and it remains unclear if Adams may be reevaluated at some point later in the postseason.
The Grizzlies’ power rotation also remains without reserve forward Brandon Clarke, who suffered a torn Achilles in March that required season-ending surgery. More recently, backup forward Santi Aldama missed the last two games of the regular season after he sustained an elbow injury in Wednesday’s loss at New Orleans.
With a week off to rest and recover from nagging injuries and soreness, the Grizzlies should be in much better shape when they open their third consecutive trip to the playoffs under Jenkins.
The Grizzlies are counting on All-Stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., a healthy supporting cast of Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks, and one of the NBA’s most productive benches to fuel a deep postseason run. Jenkins believes his team is strengthened by the resolve they’ve shown throughout a season hit hard with injuries and adversity.
“There’s been a lot of growth in our maturation process, and that’s one of the biggest things I’ve taken away from this season,” Jenkins said. “We’ve had our fair share of adversity. We started the season slow with (Jackson) out, then we lose (Bane). Now with (Adams) and (Clarke) being out, what we went through with Ja . . . and our (bad) road record. There’s been a lot of things.”
And in each instance, the Grizzlies found answers, saw other players step up and the team regained its footing. A 12-5 record in March was tied for the league’s best mark that month, and the Grizzlies solidified their No. 2 standing in the West for a second straight season with Friday’s win in Milwaukee. They’ve posted a second straight 50-win season, their sixth in team history.
Now comes the next step for a franchise that’s progressed each of the last two postseasons. Two years ago, the Grizzlies won the Play-In tournament and lost in the first round to the Jazz. Last season, the Grizzlies won their first playoff series in seven years by beating Minnesota before falling in six games in the West semifinals to eventual NBA champion Golden State.
Despite still being one of the NBA’s youngest teams, the Grizzlies can lean on their growth forged by having gained valuable experience along the way.
“We’re right here,” said Jackson, who averaged 38 points and 3.5 blocks over his last two games. “We don’t feel like there’s anything that can stand in our way, except for ourselves. We have to have that confidence. We’ve had that confidence the last couple of years, but we definitely have it this year. It’s just fresh in our minds, and we want to go out there and get it done.”
Jackson sat out Sunday’s game but completed a breakthrough fifth season in which he led the NBA in blocks on a team that finished with a top-five defensive rating. With ballots due Monday for the NBA’s top awards, Jackson is a frontrunner for NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Jenkins is also likely to factor strongly in the ballot for NBA Coach of the Year after guiding the Grizzlies through some different terrain this season. Through it all, Memphis stayed in contention with Denver for the best record in the West until the final week of the season.
Now, the Grizzlies get to test themselves again in the playoffs once their first-round opponent is determined. Memphis split the four-game season series with the Timberwolves, with each team winning its respective home games. The Grizzlies lost two of three regular-season matchups with the Lakers, with the lone victory coming Feb. 28 at FedExForum.
Jenkins said the team will prioritize rest, individual work, and conditioning through the first few days of the week. The staff will implement game-plan and strategic practices starting Wednesday. Memphis will lean on at least two key components that carried it throughout the season: Homecourt advantage and reliable depth.
The Grizzlies posted the NBA’s best home record at 35-6, and would have homecourt advantage through at least the first two rounds of the playoffs. They can also count on renewed depth. When Lofton opened the game at center on Sunday, it was the 26thdifferent starting lineup used by the Grizzlies this season.
Yet another example of how this has been a season of adjustments and growth.
Especially for players like Lofton.
“I’m going to continue to work on my defense, my offense, my game overall,” Lofton insisted. “Going through everything like this, I’m just thankful for being in Memphis and getting an opportunity to play for the Grizzlies. I just want to show I’m ready when coach calls my name.”
When camp started back in late September, the bulky big man out of Louisiana Tech would often draw Jenkins’ ire for defensive lapses and initial struggles to pick up the system. But Lofton kept working and kept improving. By mid-season, he was representing the G League’s best talent at All-Star Weekend in Utah.
He ended the season drawing praise for the strides he’s made.