The Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks are discovering that the first month of the NBA season is challenging with their key players sidelined.
The Grizzlies, who will visit the Mavericks on Saturday night, had lost five straight games before posting a lopsided home victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.
The Mavericks entered Friday’s NBA Cup game against the New Orleans Pelicans having dropped five of their past six before rallying to win 118-115.
Memphis, unexpectedly, built an early lead against the Kings on Thursday and didn’t let up in a 137-96 victory. The Grizzlies led by 40-plus points late in the game even though they were playing without injured stars Jaren Jackson Jr. (ankle) and Ja Morant (calf).
Santi Aldama picked up the slack and scored a career high-tying 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting from the field, while Jock Landale contributed 21 points and rookie Cedric Coward 19.
The Grizzlies are not only affected by the loss of Morant, but three other key ball handlers in Scotty Pippen Jr., Ty Jerome and Javon Small, also out with injuries. Jerome could return soon as he rehabilitates from a calf injury.
Morant likely won’t be back until early next month. His injury continues a string of absences in recent seasons. He missed all but nine games during the 2023-24 season with a shoulder injury and suspension. Last season he missed 32 games because of injuries.
Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo had to improvise to find an effective point guard. Vince Williams Jr., normally a shooting guard, was pressed into service against the Kings on Thursday and had a career-high 15 assists. His play-making helped the Grizzlies establish a single-game franchise mark with 42 team assists.
“Vince has really been thrown into the deep end, but he played great,” Iisalo said. “He’s had a long absence because of nagging injuries and been in and out of the lineup for a year-and-a-half. He was not able to participate in the preseason and now has gotten his chance with all the injuries at a position he hasn’t really played.
“He’s learning the intricacies of that position. He really quarterbacked our offense (against the Kings), making great passes whether it was inside to (big man) Zach (Edey) or outside to the shooters and keeping the pace really, really high. When you combine that with his defense … it was a complete package.”
While the Mavericks won for only the fifth time in 17 games this season, they appear close to turning their early season around as they work to overcome injuries to Anthony Davis (calf) and Kyrie Irving (knee).
In Wednesday’s 113-111 loss to the Knicks, the Mavericks led most of the final quarter and had an opportunity to tie in the closing seconds but were undone by an offensive foul call on Brandon Williams with 0.7 seconds remaining.
“We’re getting better and better each game,” Dallas guard Max Christie said. “The encouraging part is we’ve lost our lost games by one or two possessions, for the most part.”
Rookie Cooper Flagg returned Friday after missing the game against the Knicks with a right thumb sprain and led the way with 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Naji Marshall drained the go-ahead 3-pointer with 30.7 seconds to go. Dallas ended the game on a 7-0 run.
