Depleted by a lengthy injury list, the Grizzlies battle the Wizards, hoping Jaren Jackson Jr.'s dominant play can spark a victory.
The Memphis Grizzlies’ injury report has grown so long it now rivals a box score, leaving the team severely depleted as it prepares to host the Washington Wizards on Friday night.
Memphis is expected to be without nine players, an absence list that includes star guard Ja Morant, who will miss his second straight game because of a left ankle sprain. The Grizzlies have navigated injuries, G League assignments, and constant lineup changes for much of the season, but Friday presents one of their most challenging availability situations yet.
Morant was injured late in the fourth quarter of a Dec. 15 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. He did not play Wednesday in Minnesota and remains listed as day-to-day. The All-Star guard is averaging 17.7 points and 7.5 assists in 14 games.
Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said earlier this week that Morant’s recovery has been encouraging, even as the team takes a cautious approach.
“He’s progressing really,” Iisalo said. “Luckily it wasn’t a serious injury.”
Two additional absences are unrelated to injuries. GG Jackson and Jahmai Mashack will not be with the NBA club Friday as they participate in the Winter League showcase with the Memphis Hustle against the Windy City Bulls. Iisalo said both players could rejoin the Grizzlies following the G League game.
The Grizzlies do regain guard Cam Spencer, who returns after missing the Minnesota game for personal reasons. Spencer has been one of Memphis’ most consistent offensive contributors off the bench, scoring in double figures in 10 consecutive games while hitting 35 three-pointers on 63.6% shooting during that stretch.
With the roster thinned out, Memphis has leaned heavily on Jaren Jackson Jr., who has surged after a brief scoring drought earlier this month.
Jackson previously dismissed suggestions that the team’s offensive system under Iisalo contributed to his struggles, and his recent performances have supported that stance. In consecutive road wins over the Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves, Jackson delivered dominant two-way outings, totaling 59 points while anchoring the defense.
Iisalo said Jackson’s turnaround was more about timing and execution than structural change.
“Jaren’s been in his spots for a while now, and that’s why we’re like, it’s just a matter of time before he gets going,” Iisalo said. “He got it going against the Clippers. He’s now playing with a lot of confidence.”
Iisalo later emphasized improved spacing and cleaner offensive flow as factors that have helped Jackson rediscover his rhythm.
“I think our spacing around him and also getting him into those actions has been better,” he said. “The spacing has been better and we’ve been getting more dynamically into those actions.”
Memphis also welcomed back veteran forward Brandon Clarke, who made his season debut Wednesday after missing extended time with a high-grade PCL sprain and a subsequent arthroscopic knee procedure. Clarke scored six points in nearly 17 minutes, providing a boost to a frontcourt also dealing with injuries, including the absence of second-year center Zach Edey.
Despite the mounting issues, the Grizzlies have won seven of their past nine games, relying on defense, timely shooting and Jackson’s resurgence to stay afloat.
Washington enters Memphis struggling. The Wizards have lost five of their past six games and sit at 4-21 overall, though they recently received a lift with the return of Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly from injuries.
After Washington’s loss to San Antonio, coach Brian Keefe pointed to the immediate impact of having both players back in the lineup.
“I thought they brought some good energy,” Keefe said. “Obviously, you saw their defensive presence just having them out there with their size and their length.”
Keefe also highlighted Sarr’s offensive versatility.
“Offensively, they do positive stuff for us,” he said. “You see Alex, how he can roll to the rim. His spacing, his passing, it allows us to attack the rim.”
Washington will try to snap a difficult trend Friday night. The Wizards have lost seven straight games in Memphis, while the Grizzlies look to extend that streak despite one of the most extensive injury reports in the league.