The Memphis Grizzlies are discovering during their current run — seven wins in nine games — without star Ja Morant that their 2024 draft picks are in a class of their own.
Big man Zach Edey, wing Jaylen Wells and point guard Cam Spencer have been key factors in the team’s early season recovery from a 4-11 start.
When the Grizzlies play host to the Utah Jazz on Friday, Wells and Spencer will be coming off the best stretches of their two-year careers. Edey, who has also been playing well of late, is out with a stress reaction in his left ankle, the team announced Thursday. He will be reevaluated in four weeks.
Over the last nine games, Wells is averaging 16.7 points, shooting 56.6% from the field and providing stellar defense, an attribute that earned him an unexpected starting role as a rookie. Spencer is averaging 14.3 points and 5.3 assists coming off the bench to relieve Vince Williams Jr.
Williams moved into the starting point guard role when Morant suffered a calf injury three weeks ago. Morant, who leads the team with 17.9 ppg, was a full particpant at practice Thursday and is listed as questionable to play Friday.
Wells’ and Spencer’s contributions have been needed as backup point guards Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome have been sidelined by injury and All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. has been battling a rare offensive slump. He has been limited to single-digit scoring totals in two of his past three games.
Wells and Spencer were the 39th and 53rd players taken in the 2024 draft that hasn’t produced a significant share of standouts.
Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo said the team is gaining a comfort level in his more disciplined system and the 2024 draft picks are fitting into the mix. Iisalo took over late last season on an interim basis when Taylor Jenkins was fired.
“Guys (are) really being committed to playing together and playing a certain way,” Iisalo said. “I think they’re having a lot of fun playing on the court together. You can see it in just how they’re moving the ball and how they’re moving defensively, covering for each other. That’s great to see.”
As for the Jazz, while they have struggled during the first few months, there is hope they will make inroads as their newcomers acclimate themselves to the NBA and their roles.
Ace Bailey has been improving and fellow rookie Walter Clayton Jr. is coming off a career-high 20-point, nine-rebound game in Sunday’s loss to the Thunder, the team’s seventh defeat in 10 games. Utah coach Will Hardy said Clayton is gaining a comfort level as he gradually learns what is a new approach for him.
“Walt has been a score-first guard for most of his life,” Hardy said. “So it’s hard, when you’re a young guard, and you come in, and you’re trying to walk this line of, ‘Oh, I’ve got to get the other guys involved, and I got to pass to (Lauri Markkanen) when he’s open, and I’ve got to do all these things, but my identity is, I come off ball screens, I look at the basket, and I’m open, I shoot.'”
Hardy has been pleased with Clayton’s growth.
“I think he’s done a better job of balancing those two things,” Hardy said.
