Grizzlies Faces Taylor Jenkins.
The New Orleans Pelicans will play the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum on Friday. During the first half of the season, Memphis has been one of the top Western Conference teams. The Pelicans, however, are having trouble following yet another season marred by injuries to many of its best players.
In order to become a contender in the Western Conference, New Orleans hoped to add Dejounte Murray to a club that won 49 games the previous season. Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Murray haven’t played together this season, though, because to injuries. The injury reports for Friday’s game were made public by both clubs.
Williamson is among five Pelicans players sidelined against the Grizzlies as he recovers from an illness. He also missed Monday’s game against the Utah Jazz. Joining him on the inactive list are Brandon Ingram (ankle), Herb Jones (shoulder), Antonio Reeves (G League), and Keion Brooks Jr. (G League). However, after sitting out two games due to illness, starting center Yves Missi is expected to return to action on Friday.
Memphis has listed four Grizzlies players who will not play on Friday. The G League’s Zyon Pullin, Yuki Kawamura, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart will not play against the Pelicans. Santi Aldama’s non-Covid sickness raises doubts.
Memphis has the season series advantage after defeating New Orleans in their first two meetings this season. The tip-off is set at 8:00 p.m. EST on Friday.
Things got physical between the Grizzlies and Jazz after Ja Morant attempted to steal the dead ball.
Ball control is something Keyonte George takes very seriously. The altercation that broke out during the second quarter of the Utah Jazz’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night serves as evidence.
George refused to give up the ball even after being called for a travel, which is a turnover. Scottiy Pippen Jr. attempted to grab the ball as he began to ascend the court, but George stopped him. The ball was then smacked away by Ja Morant, who entered from behind.
At that point, the yelling, pushing, and grabbing began.
Coach Taylor Jenkins was enraged, but you’ll see that Zach Edey and Jaren Jackson both moved swiftly to defend their point man. He wasn’t happy, but it’s unclear what was bothering him the most.
There wasn’t much to say after the double-technical on Morant and George, except than the NBA should instruct players to quit attempting to steal dead balls from opponents. A player attempting to obnoxiously steal a basketball from an opponent after the whistle has blown is likely the cause of 95% of all NBA altercations.
