How Taylor Jenkins reacted to younger Memphis Grizzlies as regulars sat against Hawks

There was no Ja Morant, Desmond Bane or Jaren Jackson Jr. Even key reserves like Luke Kennard, Santi Aldama, Derrick Rose and Xavier Tillman Sr. were either in street clothes or already had played their allotted minutes in the Memphis Grizzlies' preseason road game Thursday against the Atlanta Hawks.

Coach Taylor Jenkins wasn't going to let experience be an excuse, so he challenged his players as they fell behind by double digits in the fourth quarter. He asked a group of young Grizzlies if they were going to do what it takes to win.

"Our activity wasn't what it needed to be on the defensive side," he said. "Atlanta was getting to wherever they wanted on the floor."

The players responded.

The Grizzlies trailed by 12 with 7:31 left the fourth quarter, and that's when a lineup featuring Matthew Hurt, GG Jackson, Shaq Harrison, Vince Williams Jr. and Kenneth Lofton Jr. turned up the energy.

Memphis locked in defensively and went on a 16-3 run to take a one-point lead with 1:44 left in the game. The comeback effort wasn't quite enough as the Grizzlies lost 103-102 at State Farm Arena, but Jenkins was encouraged.

"I thought we did a great job (offensively), even though we were missing shots late in the game," he said. " . . . I thought we made so many great plays on both sides of the floor. Came up a little bit short. Really, really proud of the effort. This is great learning and growth opportunities for all those guys."

Memphis started Jacob Gilyard, David Roddy, Ziaire Williams, Aldama and Adams. Williams and Adams each played just one half, and Aldama exited the game midway through the third quarter.

Thursday was an opportunity for the Grizzlies to evaluate the bottom of their roster.

Grizzlies' two-way players have big roles

All three of the team's two-way contracts are occupied, and each player had a significant role against the Hawks. Gilyard finished with three points, four rebounds, 10 assists and two steals in 31 minutes.

Rookie second-round pick GG Jackson teased his tantalizing scoring ability by delivering a game-high 24 points. He did take 23 shots, but he wasn't afraid in the big moments. That aggressiveness paid off after the Hawks made a 3-pointer to take a 101-99 lead with 1:10 to go. Jackson came back on the following possession and made a 3-pointer to give the Grizzlies the lead back.

The third player on a two-way contract is Vince Williams Jr., who had been dealing with a minor injury and hadn't played. He had been touted for his elite 3-point shooting, but he struggled with his shot Thursday.

Williams was 1-for-8 on 3-pointers, but was able to make a positive impact with 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

"The biggest thing is he kept his focus on the defensive side," Jenkins said. " . . . I thought he did really well in the second half after a little bit slow of an offensive start, but his defense was there and just got better . . . Really proud of his effort tonight."

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What Thursday means for roster hopes

There won't be many surprises when it comes to making the Grizzlies' 15-man roster. The players on two-way contracts likely will remain so because the 15 players on standard deals haven't done anything to put their roster spots in jeopardy.

Hurt, who had three points, three rebounds and two steals in 20 minutes, probably will return to the Memphis Hustle in the G League, as will Mychal Mulder, who made his debut and had three points in 10 minutes.

Harrison's scoring ability has been limited, but his ball pressure on defense is why he could be a potential candidate for the Grizzlies if they choose to place the suspended Ja Morant on the exempt list to create an extra roster spot. Harrison finished the game with two points, five rebounds, two blocks and a steal.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Taylor Jenkins thought of younger Memphis Grizzlies' play in loss