Injuries decimate Memphis' paint presence. Can the shorthanded Grizzlies find an answer on the boards against the Warriors?
The Memphis Grizzlies continue to work through a challenging stretch as injuries, particularly in the frontcourt, have reshaped the team’s rotation heading into Wednesday’s matchup against the visiting Golden State Warriors.
Memphis has lost six of its past seven games, with rebounding and interior defense emerging as primary areas of concern. The Grizzlies are operating without traditional centers Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke, both sidelined for most of the season. Additionally, 6-foot-10 forward Jaren Jackson Jr. was traded to the Utah Jazz shortly before the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline, further reducing Memphis’ size in the paint.
The impact has been evident on the glass. In Monday’s 123-114 loss to the Sacramento Kings, Memphis was outrebounded 45-37. Sacramento recorded 13 offensive rebounds, converting them into 22 second-chance points. Two days earlier, the Grizzlies were outrebounded 57-35 in a 136-120 road loss to the Miami Heat.
Head coach Tuomas Iisalo addressed the challenges following Monday’s game.
“Offensively, this was one of the games that we really struggled against the switches,” Iisalo said. “We don't have the inside advantage that we had before and can't really rebound. There's no mismatches created by that, so we got to work on that.”
Injuries extend beyond the frontcourt. Ja Morant will miss his 15th consecutive game Wednesday due to an elbow injury. Cedric Coward, a regular starter since November, will be sidelined for a fifth straight contest with a knee injury. Santi Aldama is set to miss his eighth consecutive game, also because of a knee issue.
Due to the absences, Memphis started a different lineup for the 11th straight game Monday. Olivier-Maxence Prosper, listed at 6-foot-7, started at center.
Scotty Pippen Jr. acknowledged the unique circumstances.
“Next year, we're going to have a big,” Pippen said. “We will have guys back. I probably won't see this much (defensive) switching on the court, like, ever. It's rare to see anyone out there with a 6-foot-7 center.”
Despite the adversity, Memphis continues to receive production from its young contributors. Javon Small led the Grizzlies with 21 points on Monday, adding nine assists and six rebounds. Prosper scored 17 points, and GG Jackson added 16.
Golden State enters Wednesday’s contest managing its own injury challenges. Stephen Curry has not played since Jan. 30 because of a right knee injury and is expected to miss his ninth consecutive game.
Kristaps Porziņģis, acquired prior to the trade deadline, has appeared in one game for the Warriors — a Feb. 19 contest against Boston in which he scored 12 points in 17 minutes. He has since been sidelined with an illness.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr provided an update.
“He's just been really, really sick, but he's making improvements,” Kerr said.
Jimmy Butler is out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Despite the absences, Golden State defeated Denver 128-117 on Sunday, recording 42 assists on 48 made field goals. The Warriors fell 113-109 to New Orleans on Tuesday, with De’Anthony Melton scoring a season-high 28 points and Moses Moody adding 24.
“Moses has been brilliant for six weeks,” Kerr said. “He is shooting lights out.”
The Grizzlies will look to address rebounding disparities and maintain competitive balance as they continue to manage injuries and evaluate lineup adjustments heading into Wednesday’s game at FedExForum.