The Memphis Grizzlies have had their struggles on the court this season. They are 4-9 on the year, and have just one win in their last eight games. Their latest loss against the Boston Celtics put head coach Tuomas Iisalo over the edge.
“The fact that today the Celtics were the things that we aspire to be — faster than the other team, harder working, better organized — that’s a tough pill to swallow as a coach, and I think it should be for all of our guys,” Iisalo told Jay King of The Athletic (subscription required).
Memphis lost the game by 36 points. They shot just 33.7% from the floor, compared to Boston’s 505%. Additionally, the Celtics grabbed 17 more rebounds, including a total of 18 offensive rebounds.
“You can lose games. That’s part of basketball. But to go away from your identity or the things that we know produce wins, that’s something that we must correct right away,” Iisalo said, per King.
The Grizzlies were overall outplayed in the game, and Iisalo needs things to change immediately.
Grizzlies Were Bit by the Injury Bug
GettyVince Williams Jr got the start in the loss Wednesday night.
Despite all the drama, Ja Morant remains one of the best guards in the NBA. However, he has also not been very active in recent years. The 26-year-old has played 11 of 13 games this year, but was out on Wednesday night in Boston.
Along with Morant, Memphis has been without Ty Jerome (calf) and Scotty Pippen Jr (toe) all season. That left Vince Williams Jr, Cam Spencer, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as the main guards on the team. Williams got the start in the loss, and although he played well, Coach Iisalo knows he needs his guards back on the court.
“Vince is a good player, Vince Williams, but we have four point guards ahead of him injured right now. And, against a team that’s well-organized and very aggressive in the full court, that makes it very tough,” The Grizzlies head coach said, via King.
The Grizzlies will not be able to win with all the injuries that they are enduring right now. Luckily, Morant is not expected to miss a lot of games, while Jerome and Pippen are making their way back.
What is the Path Forward For Memphis?
GettyJa Morant missed Wednesday’s game with an ankle injury.
Iisalo knows what the Grizzlies have to do better heading into their next game. Looking at the season as a whole, Memphis has allowed the 24th-most points in the league, the fifth-highest field goal percentage, and the third-most second-chance points. The Grizzlies have struggled to put together good possessions on the defensive end of the court. Getting better defensively should be a top priority.
Memphis has been at the center of trade talks, especially surrounding Morant. Trading the superstar is an easy out considering everything that has happened. However, he is also the player who can help the Grizzlies climb out of the gutter. In fact, in their last 82 games with Morant, Memphis is 44-38. Without him, they are 33-49. That is the difference between a playoff team and a lottery team.
Improving on defense and staying healthy are how the Grizzlies become a winning team.
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