The Memphis Grizzlies’ upward trajectory has been hampered by injuries in the preceding two seasons, and regrettably, the trend of player unavailability has already resurfaced as they approach the 2025-26 campaign.
There was some encouraging information regarding star point guard Ja Morant on Monday. According to reports from Marc Stein, he is anticipated to participate in Wednesday’s season-opening contest against the Pelicans. Morant was sidelined for the entire preseason due to an ankle ailment, casting doubt on his readiness for the season’s commencement. However, Stein suggests that he has sufficiently recovered to be prepared when Memphis commences their season.
Nevertheless, this fragment of optimistic news surfaced in the wake of yet another injury report emanating from the Grizzlies. The team announced that guard Ty Jerome will be out of action for a minimum of four weeks due to a “high-grade calf strain.” Jerome, the Grizzlies’ most significant free-agent acquisition, was poised to be the primary guard coming off the bench for Memphis this season, backing up Morant and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Jerome demonstrated a career-best performance in Cleveland last season, registering 12.5 points per game and achieving a 43.9% success rate from 3-point range. The Grizzlies will now be compelled to postpone his integration into the lineup as a result of the calf injury.
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This situation further diminishes the Grizzlies’ guard depth, as Scotty Pippen Jr. — who served as Morant’s backup last year and commenced several games during his absence — recently underwent toe surgery and will also be unavailable at the beginning of the season. Consequently, Javon Small is currently slated as the backup point guard in Memphis’ rotation, although they could potentially explore unconventional lineup configurations when Morant is not on the court.
Their frontline personnel are also diminished heading into the season, with centers Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke both experiencing injuries at the start of the year, which necessitates Memphis relying on smaller lineups early on, featuring Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama occupying the center position in a small-ball approach.
