Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies have played 40 basketball games this season without Jaren Jackson Jr. in the lineup. They’ve maintained a .500 record at 20-20, but won’t stand much of a chance in the playoffs without their young star.
Jackson Jr. suffered a meniscus tear in last year’s NBA Bubble against the New Orleans Pelicans. He came down awkwardly after trying to block a shot and would later be ruled out for the remainder of the 2019-2020 season.
This would lead to the Grizzlies being knocked out of last year’s play-in tournament, so it’s easy to see the importance of his return before this year’s NBA Playoffs.