The Memphis Grizzlies must prove the NBA’s second-youngest team can learn the league’s toughest lesson that the playoffs are nothing like the regular season.
It’s also time these young Grizzlies grow up.
The Grizzlies’ third straight postseason — their second consecutive as the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed — ended Friday night in six games in the worst playoff loss in franchise history in 13 appearances. Anthony Davis, LeBron James and the Lakers humbled them after having to win the No. 7 seed in the play-in tournament.
“This is probably that moment in time that’s going to be the ultimate wake-up call,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said.
“Are we going to really understand it’s the preparation in the offseason and the preparation in the season? It’s what you do at work, off the court. Clearly, things that we’ve got to control and just embrace it together.”
Two-time All-Star point guard Ja Morant, who signed a five-year supermax contract last summer, will have the biggest chance to prove how much he can mature. Morant was suspended by the NBA for eight games in March and had almost as many off-court distractions as endorsement deals.
Morant, who set the franchise single-season record by averaging 26.2 points a game, said he understands where he can grow as a leader.
“I just got to be better with my decision-making,” Morant said. “That’s pretty much it. My off-the-court issues affected us as an organization pretty much. Just more disciplined.”
HOME EDGE
The Grizzlies set a franchise mark by going 35-6 at home this season, the NBA’s best home record since Golden State won 36 games in the 2016-17 season. Memphis needs to play better on the road after going 16-25, better than only Golden State among the teams reaching the first round.
Memphis lost all three playoff games in Los Angeles, with only Game 4 reaching overtime.
INJURY HEX
This was the fifth time Memphis’ playoff hopes were hampered by injuries or suspensions.
Morant missed Game 2 against the Lakers after aggravating his bruised right hand, while Dillon Brooks was ejected in Game 3 for striking James in the groin. Luke Kennard, the NBA’s top 3-point shooter, missed Game 6 with an injured shoulder.
The Grizzlies also didn’t have starting center Steven Adams, their oldest player, or key reserve Brandon Clarke because of season-ending injuries. Adams hurt his right knee in late January, and Clarke tore his left Achilles tendon in early March.
The Lakers dominated…
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