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The rise of the Memphis Grizzlies are one of the most pleasant surprises this 2021-22 season. Ja Morant's emergence as a bonafide superstar has helped elevate the Grizzlies to one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Memphis heads into the February intermission as the no. 3 seed in the West. It's safe to say nobody, but the Grizzlies themselves of course, expected them to be in this spot at this point of the season.
With their better-than-expected campaign, Memphis did not make any moves prior to the NBA trade deadline. Led by Ja Morant, the Grizzlies are certainly capable of making a lot of noise and going on a deep run in the playoffs. With that, here are two burning questions for Memphis after the 2022 All-Star break.
Burning questions Grizzlies after All-Star break
1. Can they surpass the Warriors for the 2nd seed?
The Grizzlies are breathing heavily on the necks of the Golden State Warriors for the 2nd seed in the West. At 41-19, they are just 1.5 games behind the 42-17 Warriors, who went 1-4 in their last five games prior to the break. Meanwhile, Memphis won its last six games before dropping their final game before All-Star Weekend.
The thing that's going to work for Memphis is that they have one of the easier schedules in the NBA for the rest of the season. On the flip side, Golden State has one of the tougher remaining schedules in the league. With that, the odds are definitely in the Grizzlies' favor to nab the no. 2 seed and get home court advantage until at least the 2nd round of the postseason. Getting that should do wonders for a young Memphis squad that is 20-10 at home.
2. When will Dillon Brooks return?
Memphis has been without Dillon Brooks since early January due to a left ankle sprain. The Grizzlies initially ruled him out for three to five weeks. But the 26-year old is now on his 6th week on the sidelines. He is reportedly behind schedule in his recovery and is targeting a return in early March. That would give him at least a month to get ready and ramp himself for what should be an intense playoff run for Memphis
The Grizzlies, however, don't seem to be missing Brooks' services this season. They are 28-11 with the Canadian wing on the shelf. Though they are without their top perimeter defense, Memphis has still produced a top-9 defense in the league this season.
But as good as the Grizzlies have been without the 6-foot-7, they will certainly want to be at full strength when the playoffs come. Brooks is undoubtedly their top wing defender and is their best bet to put on the likes of Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, and Chris Paul.
Brooks is someone who isn't afraid to get physical and gritty and he pretty much embodies a lot of the signature Grit and Grind mantra that the previous era of Grizzlies basketball was known for. He also provides a lot of energy and hustle that gets FedExForum rocking.
As good as Brooks is defensively, he is also one of Memphis' top offensive options. He was Memphis' second leading scorer last season and is averaging 18.4 points in his 21 appearances this 2021-22 campaign.
