On Tuesday evening, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke news that Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. would miss the remainder of the games inside the NBA’s bubble due to a torn meniscus. The news is the latest blow for the Grizzlies in what has been a particularly terrible time inside the NBA’s bubble.
Memphis has yet to win a game in the bubble, which in itself would be damanging to the team’s playoff hopes. That those losses have come to Portland, San Antonio and New Orleans – the three teams immediately below them in the standings – has not only tightened the race for the ninth seed but has put even their position in jeopardy.
The Grizzlies’ slow start has also been damaging because the opening three games were their three easiest games in their schedule. After facing three non-playoff teams, the Grizzlies’ final five games will come against Utah, Oklahoma City, Toronto, Boston and Milwaukee.
On the flip side, New Orleans has already navigated the hardest part of its schedule and will now play only non-playoff teams for their final five games. The Pelicans seem to have righted the ship with Monday’s win over Memphis and are only 2.5 games out of eighth and a single game out of ninth.
ESPN’s Kevin Pelton released updated projections for the playoffs following Tuesday’s news. The Grizzlies are still the favorites to make the playoffs, reaching the postseason in 41% of simulations. However, after Monday’s win, the Pelicans reached the postseason in 36% of simulations. The Blazers are Spurs reached in just 15% and 3% of simulations.
Not only will the Pelicans make a strong run at the playoffs, the eighth seed seems as up for contention as ever before. Portland’s win over Houston on Tuesday continued their strong play inside the bubble as well, though they also have daunting games against the Nuggets, Clippers and Philadelphia upcoming as well.
All of it shapes up for a thrilling race for the eighth and ninth seeds in the bubbles final five games of play.
