NBA Notes: Grizzlies, Ja Morant, Knicks, Jalen Brunson, Warriors

Grizzlies

Once again, the Grizzlies’ playoff hopes appear to largely hinge on being able to stay healthy at the right time of season. Sounds simple, but this is Memphis. Injuries have been a major part of the game over the past season and a half.

“Already playing through a nagging shoulder injury, star point guard Ja Morant sat out Monday’s loss in Sacramento due to a sore left hamstring,” noted Michael Wright of ESPN. “Morant has missed four of Memphis’ past 10 games with the Grizzlies pushing for the second seed in the West, scoring 120 points or more in five straight outings, which registers as the longest active streak in the NBA.”

• Of course, there are plenty more reasons for hope, too. “Desmond Bane has been on fire lately, knocking down 11-of-12 from deep in his past two games, while Jaren Jackson Jr. appears to be fully healthy again after missing four games earlier this month,” Wright wrote.

Knicks

The Knicks will need to try to stay afloat for a least a little longer without star point guard Jalen Brunson. Good luck, right?

“Between Brunson turning his ankle badly in a loss to the Lakers, Mikal Bridges‘ buzzer-beating 3 for a win in Portland and a deflating loss to the streaking Warriors, the Knicks’ West Coast trip (2-3) had plenty of drama,” wrote ESPN’s Chris Herring. “They’ll have a calmer stretch, with one of the softer portions of their schedule ahead.”

How soft? Well, it’s a bunch of opponents that are below .500.

“With matchups against the Spurs, Hornets, Wizards and the short-handed Mavs over the next week, it puts less pressure on Brunson — who’s expected to miss at least another week, per ESPN’s Shams Charania –to rush back,” Herring added.

Warriors

Stephen Curry might need more rest and the Warriors have a trip right around the corner. So it will be interesting to see if they can maintain their current contender pace.

“The Warriors suffered just their second loss in 16 games with Jimmy Butler in the lineup when Denver stunned them without Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Christian Braun. Golden State, which had won seven straight and 12 of 13 games entering that loss, was due for a clunker,” wrote ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. “But after Curry shot 6-for-21 and had seven assists with seven turnovers, Steve Kerr was adamant that his superstar was ‘exhausted’ and in need of rest.

“Curry is also dealing with a back issue and was held out from Tuesday’s second back-to-back against Milwaukee. After facing the Bucks and Raptors at home this week, the Warriors have a six-game road trip that includes Butler’s emotional return to Miami.”