Former Duke basketball stars Grayson Allen and Justise Winslow showed a major positive sign in their return to the practice court.
The Memphis Grizzlies were primed to make the Western Conference Playoffs without Grayson Allen and Justise Winslow in the fold prior to the suspension of the NBA season, but now both former Duke basketball players could be available to the team in the league’s restart.
Memphis was one of the first teams to enter the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida, and since the 48 hour quarantine period is over for the team, the Grizzlies were finally able to hit the practice court.
More from Ball Durham
- Duke basketball: The architect behind digital dominance
- Duke basketball prioritizing frontcourt prospects in 2025
- Duke basketball: Unmasking the hate for the Blue Devils
- Duke basketball: Countdown to Craziness lands another huge visitor
- Duke basketball fills final open scholarship
There were many questions surrounding the status of both Grayson Allen and Justise Winslow, but some of those questions are starting to be answered after Memphis’ first team practice.
As photos and videos of the practice were released on social media, the two formerly injured players were on the court taking part in team drills as the Grizzlies were able to play as a team for the first time since mid-March.
Allen was previously ruled out for the season after suffering a hip injury but has since rehabbed and recovered. He could now be available for Memphis at the end of the month as the team looks to make its first playoff appearance since the 2016-17 season.
The former first-round pick of the Utah Jazz played in 30 games this season with his new team and averaged 7.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game on 44.9 percent shooting from the field and 36.3 percent from 3-point range.
https://twitter.com/memgrizz/status/1281743507124899841?s=20
we talkin’ bout practice. #MemphisVsErrrbody pic.twitter.com/GLZgovn1f4
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) July 11, 2020
As for Justise Winslow, he has yet to play this season with Memphis after dealing with numerous injuries and being a Trade Deadline acquisition from the Miami Heat.
ALSO READ: Former Duke star Grayson Allen makes COVID-19 donation
Winslow has been limited to just 11 games this season with the Heat and averaged 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 38.8 percent from the floor.
Dealing with a back injury, the former Blue Devil has deemed himself fully healthy and ready to finally take the floor for the first time since January 8, and previous to that date, December 4.
It’s not known yet if head coach Taylor Jenkins will place Grayson Allen and/or Justise Winslow on the Grizzlies’ active roster once the season resumes on July 30, but it’s certainly a good sign that both players made the trip down to Orlando and are taking part in team workouts.
ALSO READ: Tyus Jones finds unpleasant surprise in Orlando hotel
Memphis’ first game is scheduled for July 31 against the Portland Trail Blazers, who are one of the three teams that trail the Grizzlies by 3.5 games for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.