A Masterclass in Maximizing Mismatches

While the 2025-2026 season as a whole has been a bit underwhelming, the past month has been somewhat successful compared to the start of the season for Memphis. Yes, injuries are still preventing the Grizzlies’ best players from being able to play together. But other members of the roster, such as Cam Spencer and Jaylen Wells, have played really well as of late to help get needed wins.

However, despite the recent success, one disappointing aspect of the season that remained were the struggles of Jaren Jackson Jr. It is well known that Jackson Jr.’s production has been down this season, especially compared to last year when he played the majority of the season at an All-NBA level. Various factors have likely played a part in Jackson Jr.’s overall performance, including minor injuries and, at times, struggles to really find his role/groove in head coach Tuomas IIaslo’s offensive system.

While the reasons why are certainly noteworthy, the simple truth is that the Grizzlies’ ability to sustain winning, especially against tougher competition, would be hard to achieve unless Jackson Jr. returned to his usual form. And while one game does not fully mean Jackson Jr. is all the way back, his performance on Monday night was a clear and convincing reminder of the star-level production he is fully capable of consistently achieving.

For Jackson Jr., the strategy for success is pretty simple. With the ability he has to move at his size, and the improved ball-handling we have seen in recent years, Jackson Jr. is consistently a potential mismatch for most opposing defenders. The key for Jackson Jr. has always been awareness of exposing those mismatches. So far this season, that has been a needed area of improvement for Jackson Jr., IIaslo, and the rest of the roster.

However, on Monday Night, it seemed clear from the start that everyone was in unison for Jackson Jr. to make an impact early and often. And the best part about it is that Jackson Jr. did it in a variety of ways. Here are the various ways he found success, and the reemergence of the blueprint that can make him one of the hardest to defend bigs in the NBA once again:

Over the past few seasons, Ivica Zubac has been one of the most improved bigs in the NBA, especially through his defensive maturation. In fact, many feel his career arc is the most comparable projection of how Grizzlies center Zach Edey could progress over time. However, on Monday night, Zubac simply was no match for Jackson Jr. And the main reason why is because of how effective Jackson Jr. with his ball-handling and body control.

In this first example, Jackson Jr. just simply tapped into his athletic superiority in comparison to Zubac. The main thing that stands out with Jackson Jr. in this possession is his decisiveness and determination. A confident first step with an effective cross-over gave Zubac no chance to deny Jackson Jr. When JJJ is confidently going downhill in this manner, it is a clear sign he is in an offensive groove.

On this possession, Jackson Jr. did not have an advantage angle to exploit with Zubac directly in his path to the basket. However, the advantage Jackson Jr. did have was space to work with. And even more importantly, Jackson Jr. maximized the advantage by taking his time to create more space.

Instead of being in a rush to try and get around Zubac, Jackson Jr. patiently worked his way into the paint. He then used his physicality to brush up against Zubac. This resulted in Zubac being a bit off-balance, and thus not being able to set his footwork to effectively defend. Jackson Jr. knew this was the case, as he immediately set himself in good shooting form to nail the floater.

While Jackson Jr.’s athleticism will be how he usually finds success when getting other bigs away from the basket, mixing in patience with physicality gives him multiple ways to get buckets.

This possession may be the best example of how Jackson Jr. was feeling like his old/normal self on Monday. When he receives the ball at the top of the key, it certainly seems as if he was looking to continue a set play with a pass. However, the execution did not seem to be there from the other players, so Jackson Jr. immediately improvised with success.

He gathered himself, decisively delivered another effective first step, created space with ball-handling, and nailed an easy floater. This is when Jackson Jr. is at his best, self-creation off the dribble leading to easy looks in the paint. When he is finding success both getting to the rim and with his floater off the dribble, that is a very good sign Jackson Jr. is going to have a good offensive game.

The biggest takeaway from this series of scores from Jackson Jr. is the various ways he found success when isolating an opposing big away from the basket. Three different scores via three different methods, but all of which started with decisive movements and effective ball-handling. If Jackson Jr. can regain his consistency in self-creation, that is the most effective pathway to him consistently making star-level impact offensively.

The other aspect of Jackson Jr.’s game that really makes him at nightmare for opposing defenses is when he is locked in to over-matching smaller defenders, especially in the post. Monday may have been the best example of Jackson Jr. doing this all season, and the results were highly impactful.

Both of the above examples are where Jackson Jr. is at his best exploiting mismatches against smaller defenders.

In the first possession, Jackson Jr. immediately recognized that Bogdan Bogdanovic was defending him and instantly went to work. Once again in decisive fashion, he gives up the ball, sees the lane open, quickly and effectively gains post position to receive the ball, then scores. Seamless and straightforward, this is one of the best examples of JJJ “going to work.”

In the second possession, Jackson Jr. is matched up with Kawhi Leonard. While Leonard is clearly one of the best defenders of his generation, Jackson Jr. once again recognizes the high-percentage opportunity to score. This time entering into the post from the block, timing is a big factor in JJJ’s success. He perfectly syncs getting position on Leonard with Cam Spencer receiving a pass from Kentavious Caldwell Pope and then feeding Jackson Jr. in the paint. With Leonard off balance, Jackson Jr. spins and scores for the easy bucket.

Two main factors led to the successful scores for Jackson Jr. on these post-up opportunities. For one, as mentioned above, Jackson Jr. immediately recognizing the mismatch with the smaller defenders and going to the post to score was key. Furthermore, the quick nature and little to no wasted movements in which he established position helped to create the high percentage looks.

But even more importantly than Jackson Jr. himself was the fact that he was clearly in lockstep with other Grizzlies. In the first possession, KCP’s awareness of Jackson Jr. going to the post aided in the quick setup of the scoring opportunity. But also notice how Santi Aldama relocated to the top of the key to take Zubac away from the play so Jackson Jr. could be isolated on Bogdanovic. That removed the chance of Jackson Jr. being double teamed and thus secured the score.

In the second possession, once again KCP immediately recognized the opportunity with Jackson Jr. vs Leonard in the post. The quick passing from KCP to Spencer, in sync with Jackson Jr. getting position, resulted in Leonard being off balance and an easy score for Jackson Jr.

This shows proof that the true key to getting Jaren Jackson Jr. going at the star-level he is capable of is not just on Jackson Jr. himself. It is on the team as a whole. Yes, Jackson Jr. put on a masterclass in maximizing mismatches all night long. And as shown above, the fact that he was able to exploit the mismatches in several different ways is a big reason he had so much early success. The Clippers had no chance to adjust because Jackson Jr. was consistently quick in exposing their defensive lapses.

However, the fact that the rest of the roster had clear understanding that Jackson Jr. was exploiting those mismatches was just as important to his success. Not only did the priority become clear to get him the ball, but the focus also centered on how to make him most effective once he had it. That awareness from the team as a whole is what will help Jackson Jr. remain consistent when he clearly is having success early in games.

It should be noted that one good game against one of the NBA’s most disappointing teams does not guarantee Jackson Jr. will be at an All-Star level moving forward. But it certainly is a reference point that Jackson Jr. remains fully capable of making star level impact. And perhaps most encouraging is being in sync with the rest of his teammates to frequently feature Jackson. Jr. on offense.

Time will tell if Monday truly can be the turning point for Jackson Jr. to get back to his normal self this season. It is hard to deny that sustaining success will be a bit easier task if that becomes a reality.