Grizzlies Take On Recently Grounded Hawks.

Colin Rafferty –

Your Memphis Grizzlies will play inside FedEx Forum for the first time in over a week, against the 20-25 Atlanta Hawks.

Atlanta comes into the game on a four-game losing streak that included blowout losses to the Lakers and Celtics. Their most recent loss came at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks 112-110 on Monday.

In terms of team statistics, the Hawks rank among the top 10 in total offense, are in the bottom third in total defense (25th), and are ranked just behind the Grizzlies at 20 with a point-differential of -1.5.

The Hawks made headlines at the beginning of the year by trading their former 5th overall pick Trae Young, for CJ McCollum and Corey Krispert of the Washington Wizards.

It was a curious move that had many wondering what the trade value of a guy like Ja Morant was, knowing the Grizzlies had been entertaining trades for him.

If that is the market, you have to reconcile the past and move forward.

Everybody take some blame, realize that this isn’t the season we all expected and make strides to make sure that it doesn’t go downhill as soon as the season ends.

Now for the game itself, in the last five matchups against the Hawks the Grizzlies are 3-2, scoring an average of 119.6 points per game.

Their last game against each other was on March 3rd, 2025, just weeks before head coach Taylor Jenkins was fired. Bane was the leading scorer with 35-points and the Grizzlies dominated in rebounds and assists on way to a 130-132 win.

Tonight’s matchup should be no different. Like many teams that are similar to the market of Memphis, Atlanta seems to play Memphis a little bit closer than we, as fans, expect.

The days of Ja and Trae going back and forth are gone, but that energy will still be there.

The Hawks are led by Jalen Johnson who is averaging 23.0 points per game, and he is helped by Nickeil Alexander-Walker who is putting up 20.7 per game.

Be on the lookout for Onyeka Okongwu, he is a 6-year vet who has all the makings of being a Grizz killer for the night, a total nobody that plays Foward.

There always seems to be one guy that lights it up against the Grizz who I have never heard of this would be that guy.

I mean no disrespect, but I don’t watch Hawks games and while he averages 16.1 pts, 7.9 reb, and 3.6 assists a game, he could easily show up and hang 26. That has just been one of the problems the Grizzlies have had since well, before Jenkins.

Dyson Daniels is the other guy, both him and Okongwu have played most games for the Hawks and show up in the defensive side of things often.

Jaren, Jock and company will need to make their presence known early and force the Hawks into foul trouble by using their strength and size to their advantage.

Defensive play from guys like Jaylen and Cedric outside, with help from guys like Cam and KCP and the Grizzlies could be on their way to a solid performance.

Cedric has been great at home, it is no surprise as rookies usually do so, but he has made some significant strides while playing on the road. Still some things to clean up, but he has been by far the best player for the Grizzlies this year.

He has consistently been out there and even when he looked like he was down for the count, came back after missing one game.

It can only get better with Morant coming back and distributing the ball, while also teaching the young man where he wants him and how he wants him to move without the ball.

When Ja is on the court the offense flows so much better, there is no denying that.

The Grizzlies will try and put together back-to-back wins since beating the Jazz and Bucks around the Christmas holiday.

Go out and start this homestretch off with a win and see where these next few days take you.

First game back since the Euro series, Ja is back in the lineup, the injury report seems to get smaller each day, even with Edey, Jerome, and Pippen all OUT. Things could be getting better, one step at a time.

Santi is listed as DOUBTFUL for tonight’s game with right knee soreness.

Even if he were to miss today’s game, I wouldn’t expect him to be out that long; Santi is a rare type, in that, he usually doesn’t stay injured for that long or he will play through it, which he did on Sunday against the Magic, after injuring his right calf.

Tonight is a GIVEAWAY night! So, get there early!

The first 3,000 fans inside FedEx Forum with receive a ‘Memphis Grizzlies Mentoring Night T-Shirt presented by Ford.’

Get Ja started early with either some good looks at the basket or creating for others, play solid defense, and limit the turnovers.

These are all possible with the leader out on the court, just keep winning.