Jaren Jackson Jr. had a career-best offensive campaign last season, and he might be ready to push the envelope even more this year.
The Memphis star forward put up a season-high 39 points in Friday’s victory over the Washington Wizards and seeks another strong effort when the Grizzlies visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.
Jackson made five 3-pointers — also a season-best — and controlled things in the interior as Memphis routed the visiting Wizards 128-104.
“He had the opportunity to be the primary playmaker, diversify his game and a couple pick-and-rolls were snuck in there,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said of Jackson. “… He was able to get the rim at will and obviously shot the ball really well.
“It was great to see him get that opportunity and take advantage of it.”
Jackson was in the go-to role with point guard Ja Morant out due to a right hip injury and shooting guard Desmond Bane (oblique) still sidelined.
Morant was injured in a fall during Wednesday’s 131-114 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The Grizzlies announced Saturday that he is week-to-week after suffering a posterior hip subluxation (without dislocation) and multiple Grade 1 pelvic muscle strains.
As a result, Memphis will again rely on Jackson, who is averaging 22 points and shooting 55.9 percent from the field in eight games.
After missing the first two games due a hamstring strain sustained during the team’s first practice, the 25-year-old Jackson has played well.
Friday’s effort was his second 30-point outing and marked the third time in the past four games in which he scored 20 or more points.
Last season, Jackson averaged 22.5 points in 66 games.
Scotty Pippen Jr. also contributed on Friday with his first career triple-double. He had 11 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds while starting against Washington.
“Offensively, he’s moving the ball,” Jenkins said. “And he’s getting into the paint, which is a huge priority for us … This kid is taking care of his body, he’s doing the work, he’s watching film. When he can have that two-way impact, that’s huge for us.”
The Grizzlies have won four of their past five games with the wins coming by 23, 17, 17 and 24 points.
Memphis opens a three-game trip with a stop in Portland as the Trail Blazers begin a four-game homestand.
Portland is coming off a 127-102 road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves during a contest in which big man Robert Williams III returned to the court after missing 12-plus months due to a major knee injury.
Williams scored 13 points in 17 minutes off the bench, making 4 of his 5 field-goal attempts and all four of his free throws.
“I felt good, man,” Williams said. “Just trying to get the defensive spirit back with the team, you know, be that leader. Obviously, we wanted to come out with a win, we didn’t. But obviously it feels great to be back on the court.”
Williams’ return gives the Trail Blazers a deep post trio that includes veteran starter Deandre Ayton and first-round pick Donovan Clingan.
Portland also has more versatility at guard with Shaedon Sharpe back from a shoulder injury. He had just six points on 2-of-8 shooting in 21 minutes against Minnesota in his second game of the season.
In his first, Sharpe had 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting in 20 minutes during a 118-105 road loss against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.
“Just trying to get guys in there and you want to get them in and there’s also minutes restrictions,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said. “There’s all kind of things that you have to deal with that make it tough to kind of get a rhythm.”
The Trail Blazers went 3-1 against Memphis last season.
–Field Level Media