Isaiah Stewart Says Early Wins Build Trust in the Grizzlies' System

Isaiah Stewart was called for 5 fouls in 15:09 on Saturday night and scored 11 points in that time, as the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Brooklyn Nets 129-110 at FedExForum.

Stewart went 5-of-11 from the field, 0-of-4 from 3-point range, and 1-of-2 at the free-throw line. He added 3 rebounds and 3 assists. His 15:09 was the fewest among the seven Memphis players who scored in double figures. Memphis improved to 9-4, with a 6-0 road record and a 3-4 mark at home.

Stewart said in the locker room that if his style gets too physical, officials might call a few more fouls, but he tries to "stay the course the whole game."

"I'm big on people adjusting to me," Stewart said. "I kind of just play my game."

Zach Edey was ruled out before tip-off and did not dress for left ankle injury management, and Quinten Post was inactive in concussion protocol. Stewart and Taylor Hendricks handled the center minutes, with Hendricks playing 29:01, and Hendricks said he told Stewart that they had each other's backs. The Nets had 19 offensive rebounds, and Day'Ron Sharpe accounted for 9. Julius Randle led the Nets with 22 points, and Noah Clowney had 15 points and 7 rebounds. Officials whistled Brooklyn for 24 fouls and Memphis for 18, and the Nets shot 44.1% from the field.

NBA.com lists Stewart, 25, at 6-foot-8 and 250 pounds.

"It's been like pretty much my whole life, playing the five and playing guys that's bigger, taller than me and just protecting the paint," Stewart explained.

Offensively, Stewart said, he had not played this much on the perimeter since around his fourth NBA season. That was 2023-24 with the Detroit Pistons, the team that traded him to Memphis.

On defense, Stewart said he does not mind being dunked on and likes "to meet guys at the rim."

"I've learned earlier in my career, I've been on SportsCenter a lot getting dunked on," Stewart said. "And that kind of helped me with just timing my blocks and dunks and stuff."

The Grizzlies opened the season 6-0, lost four of their next five, and have won two straight since a 123-118 home loss to Denver on Nov. 11. Memphis beat New Orleans 142-111 on the road Friday before returning home for Brooklyn.

Winning early, Stewart said, lets the group keep digging into what the coaches preach every day.

"It's very important," Stewart said. "It builds character. It also builds confidence and that trust to keep believing in the system."

Seven Grizzlies scored in double figures Saturday. Cedric Coward had 23 points and 12 rebounds, Hendricks scored a career-high 22, and Javon Small added 19. Cam Spencer scored 17 with 8 assists, and Cameron Boozer posted 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Olivier-Maxence Prosper matched Stewart with 11.

"100%. 100%," Stewart said. "I think that's important. And I think that's a great sign when a guy can come in and still run the system."

Memphis agreed to acquire Stewart from Detroit on June 24, 2026, in a trade for three future second-round picks during the 2026 NBA Draft.

Stewart missed two straight games earlier this month, including the Nov. 9 win at Toronto.