The Memphis Grizzlies headed into the NBA playoffs as the second seed in the Western Conference and a team no one wanted to face in a seven-game series.
Superstar Ja Morant had seemed to put his off-the-court issues behind him, and the Grizzlies were expected to make a deep run in the postseason.
Unfortunately for Memphis, the Los Angeles Lakers proved to be a much tougher challenge, as LeBron James and company were able to beat them convincingly in six games.
In the aftermath of the seven-seeded Lakers pulling off the massive upset over the Grizzlies, reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. admitted to being humbled by the series loss and how it will motivate his team next season via Podcast P with Paul George.
"Getting humbled was the best thing for us."
JJJ on why being "leveled" by LeBron & the Lakers will make them hungrier than ever 😤
The @jarenjacksonjr Episode PREMIERING NOW: https://t.co/1h9nBaHjUg pic.twitter.com/EU8FbTSCjl
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) June 5, 2023
When at full strength, the Grizzlies are a very dangerous team with a potentially bright future ahead as one of the best teams in the Western Conference.
Unfortunately, Morant has become a significant distraction once again for the Grizzlies, with the team embracing for a hefty suspension for their superstar guard once the NBA Finals are concluded.
With Morant expected to miss a major chunk of the 2023-24 NBA season as a result of the suspension that will be handed down, the Grizzlies will have an uphill battle right out of the gate, and that will shed more doubt on if this team can contend in the Western Conference.
Jackson Jr. will be leaned on heavily to start the 2023-24 campaign, which will test the rising star and this young team.
NEXT: New Details Emerge About Ja Morant's Potential Suspension
