Heading into 2026, the Memphis Grizzlies are 15-18, currently occupying the 9th seed in the Western Conference.
The Grizzlies have dealt with one of the most difficult injury situations in the NBA and have been granted multiple hardship exceptions as a result. Despite injuries, to start 2026 strong, first-year head coach Tuomas Iisalo must be willing to adjust his rotations, and the Grizzlies need consistency out of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant.
The Grizzlies are struggling since Edey's latest injury
Sitting at 4-11 after a difficult loss to the San Antonio Spurs on November 18, the Grizzlies won seven of their next nine games. In that span, the Grizzlies were tied for the 5th-best defensive rating with the Golden State Warriors, per NBA.com. The team had played significantly better following the return of Zach Edey, especially on defense.
Unfortunately, Edey was shut down again on December 11 due to a stress reaction in his surgically repaired left ankle. Since he was shut down, the Grizzlies have gone 4-5 and have started struggling on defense again. A strength of the Grizzlies in recent seasons has been their ability to beat teams below .500, but they have recently lost to the Washington Wizards twice and the Utah Jazz.
Another fact to consider is that the Grizzlies are 2-9 against the Eastern Conference after going 21-10 against East opponents last season. Simply put, the Grizzlies are struggling to win in areas that they have typically benefited from in the past. To make matters worse, the Grizzlies have one of the worst records against teams .500 or above in the NBA at just 2-15.
The Grizzlies face multiple difficult tests to start January
The Grizzlies start 2026 with two straight road games against the Los Angeles Lakers and then face the San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, and Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a four-game homestand. With their current track record against teams .500 and above, the Grizzlies are in danger of losing more ground in a tough Western Conference. Key players such as Zach Edey and Ty Jerome are inching closer to returns, but the Grizzlies must find a way to stay afloat.
As things currently stand, the Grizzlies have a play-in spot but are six games back of the 6th-seed Minnesota Timberwolves. They are currently one game ahead of the 10th-seed Portland Trail Blazers, and teams such as the Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks are not far behind. This upcoming stretch looms large for the Grizzlies' seeding at the end of the season.
The Desmond Bane trade over the summer marked the beginning of Zach Kleiman's efforts to retool the roster. While the team at full strength likely isn't a contender, the playoff expectations remain strong. However, despite the injury crisis, Tuomas Iisalo must be willing to adjust his rotation patterns while the Grizzlies simultaneously get the best versions of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Grizzlies have won just one playoff series with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. on the team together, raising questions about the franchise's direction. The Grizzlies have gotten unlucky with injuries; however, it won't be long before the Grizzlies have to make a decision on the long-term viability of their core.