Jaren Jackson Jr. Injuring Toe After Signing $240 Million Deal Stun Fans: “Grizzlies are Cursed”

Memphis Grizzlies want to build around Jaren Jackson Jr. after handing him a monster contract extension just a day before.

Jaren Jackson Jr. Injuring Toe After Signing $240 Million Deal Stun Fans: “Grizzlies are Cursed”

Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered turf toe injury (Image via FirstSportz)

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The Memphis Grizzlies are entering a new era under head coach Tuomas Iisalo. So far, it seems Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant are a part of that era after the former was awarded a massive five-year, $240 million extension a day before.

That deal ties him down for the foreseeable future and sends the message that he will be the fulcrum of their team. The deal also seemingly confirms that their game plan, which shifted a lot away from what former head coach Taylor Jenkins deployed, will be different.

The Grizzlies had terrible luck with injuries last season, undermining the hype many fans and analysts had about the team. This upcoming season, they hope the players, especially Morant, will remain healthy as they look to give the top teams a fight.

They traded away Desmond Bane, a core member of their team, to the Orlando Magic to bring in veteran experience. However, it all starts and ends with Jackson Jr. and Morant, which means the team will need them in top shape and form if they are to be better than last season.

Memphis Grizzlies fans felt the extension and the offseason moves would finally bring competitive basketball to their state. However, they were dealt a rude awakening when the team’s latest communication hit their phones’ notifications section.

It was revealed that Jaren Jackson Jr. sustained a turf toe injury while playing basketball offsite. After evaluating the injury, the team’s medical staff determined he needs surgery to repair it. They have not mentioned a recovery timeline, but it is expected to be a while.

Grizzlies fans feel the pain after Jaren Jackson Jr.’s injury

Memphis Grizzlies fans have witnessed how injuries to Ja Morant have derailed the past two seasons. The first one was a disaster as the team was at the bottom of the standings. Then last season, they were booted out of the 1st round after he suffered another one.

Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. (Image via NBA/X)

After Jaren Jackson Jr.’s injury, fans believe their franchise is cursed. They believe they are not getting a break and are constantly in the news for the wrong reasons. Check out examples of those reactions below:

A surgically repaired turf toe injury could take up to 6 months to fully heal. Athletes depend on their big toes more than any other part of their bodies. For basketball players, that is what they depend on to jump.

Therefore, any pain would make matters worse. Just ask Austin Reaves, who struggled with a big toe sprain during the 1st round of this past playoffs and could not perform the way he did in the closing months of the regular season.

Santi Aldama will have to deputize for Jaren Jackson Jr. until his return

If Jaren Jackson Jr. takes the full six months to recover post-surgery, the earliest he can return is at the beginning of next year. That means the forward will miss nearly two-and-a-half months of regular-season basketball.

Thankfully, the Memphis Grizzlies tied down Santi Aldama to a three-year, $52.5 million extension a few hours after completing terms with JJJ. The 24-year-old will be able to fill in for his injured teammate until that time.

The only problem is that such rotations mess with team chemistry. The Grizzlies have to adjust to the new additions to their squad. On top of that, they have to figure out their chemistry fast enough to avoid losing ground to the top teams in the West.

Last season, the team climbed up to second place in the West, only to wither away once the injuries started causing havoc with their rotation. The franchise, under their new head coach, has to figure out how to minimize that impact till Jaren Jackson Jr. returns.

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