The Memphis Grizzlies experienced a turbulent 2024-25 season, marked by both triumphs and setbacks. They concluded the regular season with a 48-34 record, clinching the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Despite showing grit and determination throughout the year, their playoff run was cut short after being swept 4-0 by the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
The series took a significant blow when star guard sustained a hip injury in Game 3, forcing him out of action at a crucial moment. His absence left the Grizzlies without their key playmaker, further hampering their postseason hopes. Nonetheless, the regular season featured several positive takeaways for Memphis.
Among the bright spots was power forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who delivered a breakout campaign. He posted career-high averages of 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, while shooting 48.8% from the floor. His defensive prowess earned him a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team—his third such honor—and he was also named a starter for the Western Conference in the 2025 NBA All-Star Game.
However, Jackson’s impressive season was somewhat dimmed by a costly omission. He was left off the All-NBA teams, a snub that could cost him nearly $200 million in potential earnings, according to ClutchPoints.
Selected fourth overall in the 2018 draft, Jackson has been a defensive cornerstone for the Grizzlies, winning the franchise’s first-ever Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022-23. Despite the All-NBA disappointment, his all-around impact ensures he remains a central figure in Memphis’s quest for a championship.