MEMPHIS – Ja Morant sees one big difference between the postseason in 2021 and now when it comes to the Memphis Grizzlies.
“Last year, we were playing in. This year, we’re not,” Morant said.
The Grizzlies are young, talented, deep and more than a bit confident after going from having to take the play-in route to the Western Conference’s eighth and final seed a year ago to securing the No. 2 seed this season. Memphis finished the regular season 56-26, trailing only the Phoenix Suns (64-18) for the NBA’s best record in 2021-22.
“Now, having that experience, I pretty much feel like we’re ready. Not only on taking the leap to make it to the second round, but to the finals,” said Morant, an All-Star selection for the first time this season and the league’s rookie of the year in 2020, when the Grizzlies’ season ended with a play-in game loss.
It’s bold talk for a franchise that has never started a postseason seeded this high.