When Taylor Jenkins is expecting Dillon Brooks to return from injury
A loss like the one that the Memphis Grizzlies suffered last night on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves served as a reminder of just how much the team misses Dillon Brooks. Brooks has been absent from the Grizzlies’ lineup since suffering a sprain to his left ankle on January 9 against the Los Angeles […]
A loss like the one that the Memphis Grizzlies suffered last night on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves served as a reminder of just how much the team misses Dillon Brooks. Brooks has been absent from the Grizzlies’ lineup since suffering a sprain to his left ankle on January 9 against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Memphis (41-20) has been doing more than just getting by without Brooks as the team is currently in possession of the third best record in the NBA. While wins might temporarily mask the missing impact of Brooks, there are going to be times when Grizzlies fans find themselves asking, “When does Dillon Brooks come back?”
On Thursday, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins provided a positive update on Brooks’ injury situation, announcing that the team’s starting guard is on track to return sooner rather than later.
After a 9-31 (29%) performance from the three in last night’s 119-114 defeat, it was evident that the Grizzlies missed the sharpshooting abilities of Brooks. Prior to his injury, Brooks was averaging 18.4 points per game while shooting at a career-high 42.6% from the floor.
The 35% three-point shooter would have been a capable option as the Grizzlies inbounded the ball down three with just nine seconds to go against Minnesota. Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant wound up leaving the game-tying three-point attempt short sealing the loss in the team’s first game after the All-Star break.
Another aspect of Brooks’ game that is painstakingly absent is perimeter defense. He is often tasked with guarding the best opposing guard on the floor, a trait that should not go overlooked in today’s NBA. That responsibility does not come without a high level of trust from the coaching staff.
In his fifth season in the NBA, Brooks’ experience and leadership are valuable qualities, especially on a team with an average age of 24. After the loss, Jenkins acknowledged that while his team carries a physical identity, the Grizzlies are lacking in mental toughness.
“If we’re going to be good and take the next step as a team, we’re always going to have the physical edge, but we’ve got to have that mental that edge,” said Jenkins.
Second-year guard Desmond Bane has stepped up his scoring in Brooks’ absence, averaging 17.8 PPG on a remarkable 41.4% from the three-point line. Morant has also assumed an increased load on offense, putting up 26.7 PPG as he works to get back to full strength after dealing with an ankle injury of his own.
The Grizzlies have certainly managed to win without Brooks in the lineup for nearly two months. However, his return to the lineup would not only elevate the team on offense, but also provide Memphis with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to defensive stoppers.
Featured image via Petre Thomas – USA TODAY Sports
