yardbarker
Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson II suffered a relatively serious foot injury during Saturday's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets, head coach Tuomas Iisalo informed reporters. The injury occurred in the first quarter, and Jackson was forced to leave the game after playing less than three minutes.
Iisalo expressed his dismay, stating, "Very, very sad for him. There will be further testing, but so far, it doesn't look very good." Jackson had been one of the first players off the bench for Iisalo, highlighting his role in the rotation.
Following an examination by team doctors, the Grizzlies announced that Jackson would not return to the game. The team is awaiting further tests to determine the severity of the injury.
Jackson has been a contributor to Memphis's surprising 9-4 start, appearing in all 11 games and averaging 7.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 16.1 minutes per contest. While his field goal percentage sits at a career-low 37.1%, he has been effective from beyond the arc, converting 40% of his three-point attempts on 2.7 tries per night.
Before the season began, Jackson was viewed as a potential trade candidate as the Grizzlies faced a roster crunch with 17 players on standard contracts. The team eventually waived guards Walter Clayton Jr. and Micah Peavy to reach the 15-man limit.
Selected as the 45th pick in the 2023 draft, Jackson has seen his role fluctuate during his time in Memphis. He has played 48, 29, and 55 games in his first three years, with surgery on his right foot contributing to the lower number in 2024/25. Jackson is earning $2.4MM in the final year of his contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
An extended absence for Jackson could result in increased playing time for Taylor Hendricks, who posted a career-high 22 points in 29 minutes on Saturday. Hendricks, a fourth-year power forward acquired in February as part of the trade that sent Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah, spoke after the game about his improved efficiency in the screen-and-roll.
"I literally practice it every day, and like I said, just watching film on it," Hendricks said. "The reads start becoming clearer, and when guys are in the right spots, it just makes it a whole lot easier."
Key Analysis
Jackson's injury could have significant implications for the Grizzlies' rotation and bench depth. With Jackson potentially sidelined, Hendricks's emergence as a scoring option becomes even more crucial. The team will need to rely on its depth to maintain its strong start in the competitive Western Conference.
Originally reported by yardbarker.