NBA Power Rankings: The curious case of the Knicks; red-hot Magic surging in East

27. Memphis Grizzlies

If you look at the standings, it's hard to ignore that the Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the worst teams in the league. They have been. However, when you add in the context of having to survive without Ja Morant (due to suspension) and then add in all the injuries that the team has had to overcome through the first portion of the season, their slow start to the year becomes that much more understandable.

Nevertheless, context is never something that is remembered in history. Right now, the Grizzlies are one of the worst teams in the league and there's little to suggest that even when Morant returns, that's going to change all that much. The hope is that Morant will come back and the Grizzlies will be able to climb out of their early-season hole. Though, that's far from a guarantee.

Even if the Grizzlies manage to fight their way back up the Western Conference standings, I can't imagine they're going to make much, if any, noise in the postseason. This feels very much like a lost season for the Grizzlies.