What to know about Memphis Grizzlies’ Tyus Jones, Ja Morant’s replacement in Game 4 lineup

Tyus Jones has been a key component for the Memphis Grizzlies over the last three seasons as the main guard off the bench.

Ja Morant’s absence in Game 4 of the Grizzlies’ series against the Golden State Warriors likely means a large increase in minutes for Jones, who started 23 of 25 games in which Morant missed in the regular season.

So who is Jones? Let’s go through his career, a lengthy one for the 25-year-old.

Tyus Jones, Duke 5-star

Jones was the No. 8 prospect in the Class of 2014 out of St. Paul, Minnesota and was a part of a Duke recruiting class that included Justise Winslow, Jahlil Okafor and Grayson Allen.

That group won a national title as freshmen with Jones at the point; he started all 39 games and averaged 11.8 points and 5.6 assists per game and a respectable 37.9% from 3.

Jones, like Winslow and Okafor, entered the 2015 NBA Draft after one season,

MARK GIANNOTTO: Does Memphis Grizzlies dream season have one more miracle without Ja Morant?

BACK FROM SUSPENSION: Dillon Brooks on the Gary Payton II injury: ‘If I could take it back, I would’

LIVE UPDATES: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors: Live score, updates from Game 4

Already a 7-year NBA veteran

Jones turns 26 on Tuesday and he’s already a seasoned veteran after seven seasons in the NBA.

The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired the hometown guard on draft day after Cleveland selected him with the No. 24 overall pick.

Jones ended up playing the same role in Minnesota that he is now playing at Memphis, as a solid guard off the bench who is about league average as a shooter, shares the ball well and can defend.

He played 210 games over his final three seasons at Minnesota, but when the Grizzlies signed the restricted free agent to a three-year, $26.4 million offer sheet, the Timberwolves did not match.

Grizzlies’ top guard off the bench

Jones’ numbers have risen during his three seasons in Memphis.

His raw numbers have slightly increased (7.5 points, 4.2 assists in three seasons, better shooting numbers across the board), as has his metrics. His win shares per 48 minutes are at .131, up from .092 during his Minnesota tenure, and his 5.1 win shares in 2021-22 are a career high, according to Basketball Reference. That all comes as he’s backed up

Story continues

Jones’ success as the Grizzlies’ top guard off the bench is likely to increase his value when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming offseason, regardless of whether or not he re-signs.

Jones will first try to help the Grizzlies make a run at an NBA title.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Tyus Jones is Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Game 4 backup: what to know