The Memphis Grizzlies didn’t get their preferred result on Thursday night.
Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. each scored more than 20 points. Memphis also surpassed their season average by making 20 3-pointers.
Still, it wasn’t enough.
Memphis dropped a crucial game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the heat of a tight playoffs race, losing 141-125 at FedExForum.
As deflating as that loss could be, there’s no time to dwell on it. Memphis still has a chance to secure a top-six seed in the Western Conference, but a win against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night is needed.
The Grizzlies are now seventh in the standings. The clock is already ticking towards gametime on Friday.
Getting ready for Denver
It didn't take players long to shower and get dressed after Thursday's loss. The team went straight to the airport from FedexForum. The goal was to leave Memphis around 1 a.m. and hopefully be at the Denver hotel around 4 a.m. local time.
The Grizzlies won’t have a morning shootaround. Friday will be about resting and preparing for a crucial game.
In the case of Zach Edey, it will be his first test against Nikola Jokic.
"Watch film, lock in, make sure I know his tendencies to the best of my ability," Edey said. ". . . Just like everybody else , take that challenge head on."
Mental or physical?
Memphis will fight the mental and physical battle of fatigues. A back to back that includes a later than normal start in Memphis and going to Denver is usually what some people refer to as a schedule loss.
But not Ja Morant.
"No complaints from me," Morant said. "I'm ready to go to Denver."
But multiple players pointed out how there will be a mental and physical adjustment on the short turnaround. In addition to that, the Nuggets will be playing after having a day off.
It's a must-win game, so rest and preparation will be vital.
“I don’t envy the players’ part in this situation," Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo said. "It seems unreasonable to expect top level performances in less than 20 hours to start another game while we’re fighting for very, very important games. And we’re the only team that’s coming off a back-to-back. But that’s the schedule. We can’t affect that. What we can do is try to finish everything here at the FedExForum as fast as possible, get to the plane and get some rest in Denver and then perform as well as we can tomorrow.”
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies ...
