The Memphis Grizzlies closed the 2025-26 season with a 132-101 loss at Houston, finishing 25-57 as Ja Morant and nine others sat out the finale.
The Memphis Grizzlies ended the 2025-26 season with a 132-101 loss against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The loss gave the Grizzlies a final record of 25-57.
Houston was up by as many as 39 points and dominated Memphis on the boards, 64-37. The Rockets produced a staggering 34 second-chance points off 21 offensive rebounds and converted 19 points off 13 Memphis turnovers.
Dariq Whitehead led Memphis with 26 points on 11-of-21 shooting to go with 4 rebounds in 39 minutes. Rayan Rupert racked up 21 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and a block in 41 minutes. Jahmai Mashack recorded 11 points and 11 assists in 38 minutes, and Javon Small came off the bench to score 18 points. Lucas Williamson added 15 points and 3 steals. Toby Okani contributed 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in a starting role, and veteran Taj Gibson provided 4 points and 4 rebounds in 19 minutes.
Memphis shot 41.1 percent from the field and converted just 13 of 49 attempts from 3-point range. The Grizzlies were outscored in three of four quarters, with Houston taking the first period 32-26 before pulling away for good in the second.
Clint Capela was nearly automatic around the rim for the Rockets, going 9-of-11 for a season-high 23 points. He added 13 rebounds and 3 blocks. Tari Eason's 20 points and 8 rebounds were also a season best. Reed Sheppard finished with 19 points. Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. were held out with the playoffs in view. JD Davison grabbed 10 rebounds to go with 9 points off the bench, and Tristen Newton scored 12 in 12 minutes.
The backdrop for Memphis was a staggering injury report. Ja Morant missed the finale with a left elbow UCL sprain, one of 10 Grizzlies players unavailable Sunday. Santi Aldama, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Zach Edey, Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., Jaylen Wells, Walter Clayton Jr., Brandon Clarke and Taylor Hendricks were all inactive as well.
Houston finished 52-30 heading into the postseason.