We’re about a third of the way into the 2024-25 regular season, and I’m happy to report that, despite some lingering injury issues, the Memphis Grizzlies are back and looking like a legitimate NBA team after last season’s turmoil.

As of now, Memphis holds the second spot in the Western Conference with a 17-8 record.

This is a stark contrast to last year’s 6-19 record after the first 25 games, making it feel like we’re watching a completely different team—and in many ways, we are.

The 2023-24 Grizzlies began the season with their star point guard, Ja Morant, serving a 25-game suspension due to “conduct unbecoming to the league,” which essentially refers to his reckless behavior, including flashing a gun on Instagram Live not once, but twice within a couple of months.

Things took a turn for the worse from there. Morant returned in December but played only nine games before a season-ending shoulder injury. In those nine games, the Grizzlies went 6-3, matching the number of wins they had in the previous 25 games. His absence was just one of many challenges the team faced.

Over the past few years, Jackson Jr. has been quietly working his way into a role as one of the team’s most valuable players. His growth, year after year, has been nothing short of remarkable, and he’s emerged as one of the best players in franchise history.