Ziaire Williams could only shake his head.

It was just a week ago that the Memphis Grizzlies went on the road and knocked off the Los Angeles Lakers by 14 points. Four Grizzlies starters topped 20 points, and Williams scored 15 off the bench.

Fast forward to Friday: Only one of the starters from that Lakers game finished the 128-119 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at FedExForum.

“It's unique, but we have to look past that," Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. "Our guys have been unbelievable through all of this. I always talk about the spirit and how they just continue to fight. Our circumstances are pretty heavy right now for sure. But the attitude has been phenomenal."

Bismack Biyombo was waived, and injuries to Ja Morant and Marcus Smart have altered what the Grizzlies' offense and defense could look like. To make matters worse, Desmond Bane limped off the floor in the third quarter Friday night and did not return.

"It's crazy," Williams told The Commercial Appeal. "It's life. Stuff happens. You got to expect the unexpected and just stay prepared. We're all just staying ready, hoping Des is all right and sticking with it."

Now, the players say it's time for the whole "next man up" mantra. In reality, how far does that actually go? Friday's game was a good example of what the Grizzlies (14-24) likely will be this season.

Memphis led the Clippers 26-23 at the end of the first quarter. Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Luke Kennard, Vince Williams Jr. and Xavier Tillman Sr. looked like a formidable unit on both sides.

Problems came in the second quarter as Jenkins had to go away from pairing Bane and Jackson in order to stagger the two star players. Memphis lost its offensive rhythm, and the Clippers got hot.

Jackson saw several double teams in that stretch and struggled. He finished with a team-high 21 points, but he shot just 6-for-20 while the Clippers (25-13) focused their defensive attention on him.

“I got to be way better because I was just jacking at this point," Jackson said. "I got to see the open man, I got to pass the ball, because that's what's going to get everybody going. I think our best run was in the fourth quarter when I was out of the game. That was just because everybody was feeding off energy.

"If I'm coming down, bringing it up, seeing 3 and doing what I was doing, we're not going to win doing that. It’s just up to me to be a little bit better of a decision-maker.”

The slew of injuries have opened the door for the younger crop of Grizzlies to get an opportunity. Jake LaRavia and Jacob Gilyard saw time in the rotation against the Clippers. After Bane turned his left ankle, the Clippers selected GG Jackson as the player from the bench to shoot the injured Bane's free throws.

After Jackson took the free throws, he looked prepared to come out of the game, but Jenkins elected to keep playing the rookie forward.

"GG Jackson has been someone I've been thinking about, given our circumstances," Jenkins said. "I didn't know how it was going to shake out tonight but in this three-game set at home and games moving forward, we want guys that are developing and trying to get better in our vision for them individually but also for the team. That kind of felt in the moment, getting him out there, he's going to have his moments, he has to get better."

Memphis was supposed to be where the Clippers are. This team had plans to compete for a Western Conference title, but many of the key pieces can only watch from the bench.

In spite of all of the injury woes Memphis has dealt with this season, the team's morale is still high. Grizzlies reserves closed the game near the end of the fourth quarter and made a run. Those are the types of positives the team will be looking for while playing without its best players.

"That's the biggest thing, man," Williams said. "Win, lose or draw, just put everything out on the court and compete at the highest level possible. Just don't go out without a fight. We're definitely high spirits."

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies situation 'crazy' with injuries, juggling rotations