The Memphis Grizzlies are close to getting Ja Morant back in the team facility, but there remains a lot of factors at play. Since Morant's first day back in the facility after his eight-game suspension is March 20, when the Grizzlies play against the Dallas Mavericks, he'll need time to ramp-up before joining the Grizzlies' playoff push for the No. 2 seed. There's also the personal perspective. Morant spent time in a counseling program in Florida, and said yesterday he feels better mentally. In this episode of the Commercial Appeal Grizzlies podcast, reporters Damichael Cole and Evan Barnes di ..read more

The past seven days have been filled with disappointments for the Memphis Grizzlies. Their star player, Ja Morant, is away from the team, Dillon Brooks had a one-game suspension, Brandon Clarke tore his Achilles and the Grizzlies have lost three games in a row. Memphis is now third in the Western Conference behind the Sacramento Kings for the No. 2 seed, and there is no definitive timetable on when Ja Morant will return. The Grizzlies are also awaiting a firm return to play update on Steven Adams. In this episode of the Commercial Appeal Grizzlies podcast, reporters Damichael Cole and Evan Bar ..read more

The Memphis Grizzlies are still the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, but February struggles resulted in the team falling further behind the top-seeded Denver Nuggets and closer to the Sacramento Kings. An upcoming stretch of games against Western Conference foes that includes five of six games being nationally televised will be one of the most critical periods of the season. The stretch starts with the Nuggets, then the Grizzlies will head to Los Angeles for games against the Clippers and Lakers. In this Grizzlies podcast, reporters Damichael Cole and Evan Barnes discuss what this stretch ..read more

Welcome back to the All-Star break edition of the Memphis Grizzlies podcast. For this week, reporter Evan Barnes is joined by columnist Mark Giannotto as our beat writer Damichael Cole is away with his family. Evan and Mark briefly recap the NBA All-Star game and what it meant for Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. in terms of their career growth and the Grizzlies' trajectory. Next, they dive into the remaining 25 games to discuss key storylines, including a brutal 11-game stretch as the season restarts and a changing Western Conference after the trade deadline. The guys also dive into Steven Ada ..read more

The Memphis Grizzlies went 0-5 on a recent and lost Steven Adams to a right PCL sprain for the next three-to-five weeks. Still, not all hope is lost in Memphis. The Grizzlies have the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, and help is on the way. Danny Green is expected to make his Grizzlies debut against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. Desmond Bane, who has missed the last two games, is also expected to return sometime this week, according to Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins. In this episode of the Grizzlies’ Commercial Appeal Podcast, reporters Damichael Cole and Evan Barnes discuss th ..read more

Turn your speakers to 11 and get ready for another week of the Memphis Grizzlies' podcast! Beat writer Damichael Cole and host Evan Barnes are back as the Grizzlies tied a franchise record with their 11th consecutive win. With a five-game West Coast road trip starting Friday, the guys break down what lies ahead and what they're looking forward to most starting with the Los Angeles Lakers Friday (9 p.m., ESPN). Can the Grizzlies prove themselves as contenders against potential playoff or play-in teams? How much should fans circle the rematch with Golden State Warriors on Wednesday? The podcast ..read more

The Memphis Grizzlies have one of the NBA's best records, but they are 11-10 against the Western Conference. If the Grizzlies (23-13) want to reach their championship goals, they'll have to go through a tough slate of Western Conference opponents. Memphis is playing strong defensive basketball in its last three games after struggling and losing four of five games, including a Christmas Day matchup against the Warriors. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Dillon Brooks are leading the defensive charge, but the Grizzlies have also been tactical in their approaches against the opponent's top offensive options ..read more

The Memphis Grizzlies are the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, but they still have 59 more regular season games to play. One of the toughest stretches is here. The Grizzlies lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, and now they'll face off against the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors to complete a four-game road trip. In that game against the Thunder, Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks both received technical fouls. Morant was ejected for the second time this season. On this Grizzlies podcast, reporters Damichael Cole and Evan Barnes discuss the technical fouls, the u ..read more

The hits keep coming. Hours after the Memphis Grizzlies celebrated the return of Ziaire Williams, it was announced that Desmond Bane would be sidelined for an additional three-to-four weeks due to his sprained right big toe injury. Bane's delay comes during what is likely to be the toughest stretch for the Grizzlies so far this season. Memphis starts with the Detroit Pistons, but some of the top teams in the Eastern and Western Conference will follow. Williams, John Konchar, Dillon Brooks and even Ja Morant are some of the players who will have to elevate their games during this stretch. On th ..read more

If the Memphis Grizzlies want to reach their title aspirations, they'll need Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. all playing at their best. Morant and Bane look like one of the NBA's best backcourts this season, but it's Jackson's dominance that could unlock the full potential in Memphis. The Grizzlies are at home against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night. This will be De'Anthony Melton's first game in Memphis since he was traded during the NBA Draft for Danny Green and a first-round pick that turned into David Roddy. On this episode the Grizzlies Commercial Appeal podcast, repo ..read more