Grizzlies could rest 4 starters as Suns eye franchise win record Friday

The Memphis Grizzlies could be resting up to four starters — not including the injured Ja Morant — for a Friday meeting with the Phoenix Suns, a battle of the top two teams in the NBA.

That could sway the odds in Phoenix’s favor, giving the 62-14 squad a chance to set a new franchise record for wins in a regular season.

Memphis on Thursday listed forward Jaren Jackson Jr., center Steven Adams and guards Tre Jones and Desmond Bane as doubtful for the Grizzlies home game. All are listed with various forms of “soreness.”

All four started Memphis’ last game on Wednesday, a 112-111 win against the San Antonio Spurs that clinched the Grizzlies the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with five games left.

Dillon Brooks is the only starter not listed in the status update. The Grizzlies are already without Morant and rookie Killian Tillie, who are out with knee injuries.

Memphis has clinched its division and the second seed with a 54-23 record. The Grizzlies are 8.5 games behind the Suns and 6.0 ahead of the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors in third and fourth place, respectively.

If Memphis’ four starters listed as doubtful don’t play against Phoenix, Brooks could be running with a rotation that includes Brandon Clarke, Kyle Anderson, John Konchar, De’Anthony Melton and rookie Ziaire Williams.

For the Suns, forward Cam Johnson (quad contusion) and center JaVale McGee (non-COVID illness) are listed as probable.

Johnson has missed Phoenix’s last 13 games, while McGee was out the Suns’ last two outings.

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