Young Grizzlies must grow up after early exit from playoffs

The MemphisGrizzlies must prove the NBA’s second-youngest team can learn theleague’s toughest lesson that the playoffsare nothing likethe regular season.

It’s alsotime these young Grizzlies grow up.

TheGrizzlies’ third straight postseason — their second consecutive asthe Western Conference’s No. 2 seed — ended Friday night in sixgames in theworstplayoff loss in franchise historyin 13 appearances.Anthony Davis, LeBron James and the Lakers humbled them afterhaving to win the No. 7 seed in the play-in tournament.

“This isprobably that moment in time that’s going to be the ultimatewake-up call,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said.

“Are we goingto really understand it’s the preparation in the offseason and thepreparation in the season? It’s what you do at work, off the court.Clearly, things that we’ve got to control and just embrace ittogether.”

Two-timeAll-Star point guard Ja Morant, who signed afive-yearsupermax contractlast summer, will have the biggestchance to provehowmuch he can mature. Morant wassuspendedby the NBA for eight games in Marchand had almost asmanyoff-courtdistractionsas endorsement deals.

Morant, whoset the franchise single-season record by averaging 26.2 points agame, said he understands where he can grow as a leader.

“I just gotto be better with my decision-making,” Morant said. “That’s prettymuch it. My off-the-court issues affected us as an organizationpretty much. Just more disciplined.”

HOME EDGE

The Grizzliesset a franchise mark by going 35-6 at home this season, the NBA’sbest home record since Golden State won 36 games in the 2016-17season. Memphis needs to play better on the road after going 16-25,better than only Golden State among the teams reaching the firstround.

Memphis lostall three playoff games in Los Angeles, with only Game 4 reachingovertime.

INJURYHEX

This was thefifth time Memphis’ playoff hopes were hampered by injuries orsuspensions.

Morant missedGame 2 against the Lakers after aggravating his bruised right hand,whileDillonBrooks was ejected in Game 3for striking James in thegroin. Luke Kennard, the NBA’s top 3-point shooter, missed Game 6with an injured shoulder.

The Grizzliesalso didn’t have starting center Steven Adams, their oldest player,or key reserve Brandon Clarke because of season-endinginjuries.Adamshurt his right knee in late January, andClarketore his left Achilles tendonin early March.

The Lakersdominated the Grizzlies on the boards.

“It would bedumb to say that it didn’t play a part in it,” third-year guardDesmond Bane said. ”(Adams) was a part of what we did all seasonlong. Obviously (Clarke) was, too.”

Last season,Morantmissedthe final three gamesof Memphis’semifinalsloss to eventual championGolden State.

BRIGHTFUTURE

In additionto Morant, the Grizzlies also have Jaren Jackson Jr., the NBA’ssecond-youngest player to be nameddefensiveplayer of the year. Jackson, who also is 23, led the league andset a franchise record by averaging 3 blocks per game.

Jacksonblossomed, particularly after Adams’ injury, and was picked for hisfirst All-Star Game. He averaged 18.6 points and 6.8 rebounds, bothcareer highs. Healthy going into the offseason, the five-yearveteran who won’t turn 24 until September has more room toimprove.

WHAT TO DOWITH BROOKS

The easiestdecision for Memphis may be letting the 6-foot-6 Brooks leave as afree agent after five seasons. Yes, he’s a great defender whoplayed his best against All-Stars during the regular season, but healso led the NBA in technical fouls.

Then came theplayoffs. Brooks said he wanted to face the Lakersbeforecalling James “old” and saying he didn’t respectanyoneuntil they put up 40 on him. Well,theLakerspolished off the Grizzlies with a 40-point winin James’40th postseason series victory of his career.

Brooks didn’thelp himself when he bolted the Memphis locker room after theseries loss before reporters were allowed inside. The guard beingpaid $11.4 million this season on a rookie extension also didn’ttalk after three of the losses in the series.

FUTUREMOVES

The Grizzlieshold club options on Xavier Tillman and Kennard for next season.They also have the 25th overall pick in the June draft.