Memphis Grizzlies reserves get extended opportunity in preseason loss to Atlanta Hawks
Many Memphis Grizzlies players from the first two games sat on the bench in street clothes while other teammates got an opportunity on Thursday night against the Atlanta Hawks.
With the Hawks playing most of their starters, the Grizzlies were at a talent disadvantage at State Farm Arena, but they kept fighting. Memphis led by two after the first quarter before the Hawks took control for most of the game.
Atlanta led by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter before Grizzlies reserves came back and had one last chance with less than a second left in the fourth quarter.
A Vince Williams Jr. 3-pointer hit the back of the rim as the Grizzlies fell 103-102.
Santi Aldama led the Grizzlies with 22 points. Jacob Gilyard started at point guard and took advantage of his extended run by recording a team-high 10 assists.
Rookie forward GG Jackson shined in the second half and led the comeback. He finished with 24 points and knocked down a big 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter.
Here are some takeaways from the game.
Who was available?
Several Grizzlies regulars got the day off on Thursday. Derrick Rose, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. each started in the first two preseason games. All three players were out on Thursday. Xavier Tillman Sr., Jake LaRavia, John Konchar were also out. Gilyard, David Roddy and Aldama joined Steven Adams and Ziaire Williams in the starting lineup.
The absences created more opportunities. Vince Williams Jr., Mychal Mulder and Matthew Hurt got their first action of the preseason, while Shaq Harrison, Kenneth Lofton Jr. and GG Jackson all got extended minutes.
Santi Aldama bounces back
Aldama's preseason struggles ended on Thursday. The third-year Grizzlies forward put together his best performance and flirted with a triple-double. Aldama had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists after one half. He played about halfway through the third quarter before exiting the game. Aldama's performance is a confidence boost for himself and the Grizzlies. He will likely be the Grizzlies' first big man off the bench this season.
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With LaRavia, Konchar and Kennard out, Roddy and Williams had bigger opportunities. Williams came out firing and made his first three 3-pointers. He finished the game making four of his seven 3-point attempts and scoring 12 points in 15 minutes. Memphis likes Williams' ability as a secondary playmaker, but his play in pick-and-roll wasn't as good as Tuesday's game. Williams finished the game with three turnovers. The Hawks had multiple steals when Williams ran pick-and-rolls.
Roddy finished the game with nine points on 4-for-9 shooting. It was another young wing that shined in the second half. Jackson, the Grizzlies' second-round pick this summer, had his best scoring performance of the preseason. He made 9 of his 23 shots and four 3-pointers.
What's next
The Grizzlies remain on the road and play the Miami Heat on Sunday. These two teams will meet again in the regular season in less than a month on Nov. 8. Jackson, Bane and Rose will likely return to the lineup. Smart's status remains in question as the Grizzlies continue to ramp him up and make sure he is 100% healthy for the regular season.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies reserves get opportunity in preseason loss to Hawks
