The Memphis Grizzlies have dropped four straight games and five of their past six after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder by 17 points at home. To make matters worse, star guard Ja Morant has been dealing with a persistent shoulder issue, while Grizzlies star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is out due to an ankle sprain. The Grizzlies travel to play the Dallas Mavericks on Friday in an attempt to snap their losing run. With eight players sidelined for Friday’s game against the Grizzlies, the Mavericks are currently the league’s most injured team.
As both teams deal with injuries, they are forced to roll with some new lineups, but many fans are intrigued by Memphis’ new-look starting five.
The Grizzlies are starting Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaylen Wells, Santi Aldama, and Zach Edey on Friday night, marking the first ever time these five have started a game together.
Fortunately for the Grizzlies, Morant, Bane, Wells, and Edey remain at the foundation of their lineup, so integrating Aldama shouldn’t be too difficult. In fact, it might even give them a fresh look.
