Grind with injuries and trade whispers, Memphis fights for stability at home against a struggling Nets squad.
The Memphis Grizzlies return home Sunday searching for traction in a season that has rarely allowed for stability, welcoming the Brooklyn Nets amid mounting challenges both on and off the court.
The Grizzlies enter the matchup having dropped six of their past seven games, a slide that has mirrored a broader campaign disrupted by injuries, rotation changes, and inconsistent availability across the roster. Friday’s one-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder was emblematic — a strong stretch undone late — and left Memphis still searching for a rhythm as the schedule presses forward.
Sunday’s opponent arrives with its own set of frustrations. The Brooklyn Nets have lost five of their last six and sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings after Friday’s 121-105 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite the recent results, Brooklyn remains committed to development, fielding the youngest roster in the league and prioritizing long-term growth alongside nightly competitiveness.
One of the more surprising elements of the Nets’ loss in Los Angeles was the performance of leading scorer Michael Porter Jr., who endured a rare off night from beyond the arc. Entering the game as a 39.7% shooter from 3-point range, Porter went 0-for-9 from deep, a sharp departure from his usual efficiency.
Brooklyn coach Jordi Fernandez dismissed any concern afterward, framing the outing as an anomaly rather than a trend.
“Michael took multiple shots that he usually makes,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez emphasized that the larger picture remains unchanged.
“I’m not worried about it,” he said. “It’s very rare. It’s going to happen once every five years that Mike misses nine 3s. If he had shot five more, they would have gone in.”
For Memphis, the focus remains on navigating a demanding stretch with a roster that has rarely been whole. Ja Morant’s future has drawn attention around the league following reports that the organization is willing to listen on inquiries, though coach Tuomas Iisalo declined to comment publicly. Inside the locker room, teammates have acknowledged the emotional weight of such moments while stressing the importance of staying present.
Jaren Jackson Jr., who has played alongside Morant throughout his seven-year career, addressed the situation Friday night, emphasizing perspective over speculation.
“The business of basketball, it takes a toll,” Jackson Jr. said.
He added that the team has endured a wide range of challenges together.
“I think we’ve seen it all,” Jackson Jr. said. “I think we’ve seen so many different things. It’s just a tough thing, man.”
Sunday’s meeting offers both teams an opportunity to steady themselves at a pivotal point in the season. Brooklyn continues to search for consistency after a string of close losses, including a buzzer-beating overtime defeat to the Orlando Magic earlier in the week, while Memphis looks to convert effort into results amid ongoing uncertainty.
As Fernandez put it, progress does not always follow a straight line.
“There’s room to improve,” he said. “And I know our guys care and they are going to come back and get better.”
For the Grizzlies, Sunday’s game represents another chance to do just that — one possession, and perhaps one stabilizing performance, at a time.