2025 hasn't been kind to the Memphis Grizzlies in its early stages as the team entered the year with depleted depth. However, Ja Morant and Santi Aldama returned for their loss to the Houston Rockets on January 9th, and they received positive injury updates from their other rostered players on the injury report.
Marcus Smart's injury update for the partial tear of the extensor hood of his right index finger was considered week-to-week for the reserve guard on January 10th. GG Jackson has been extensively practicing with the Grizzlies and Memphis Hustle (NBA G League affiliate) lately to prepare for his return, likely within the next week.
Vince Williams Jr.'s injury timeline update on December 20th was considered between three-to-six weeks which entered the three-week date on January 10th. Although ruled out, he was seen at shootaround with the team ahead of their matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 11th, which signals a return soon from him as well.
Scenes from Grizzlies shootaround: Vince Williams Jr. draining shots, GG Jackson getting sideline council from Marcus Smart, Yuki Kawamura coming up to Jaren Jackson Jr. and saying “congratulations.”
— Chris Herrington (@ChrisHerrington) January 11, 2025
What was that about?
Jaren: “That’s just how we always greet each other.” pic.twitter.com/p2aeWsIOF8
The Grizzlies have survived this season with only five players who have played at least 30 of their 38 games played thus far. Their depth has been a major strength but may present a concern going forward due to coach Taylor Jenkins' insistence on playing almost everyone.
The Grizzlies will have to cut their rotation short
Taylor Jenkins was in the crossfire of the Grizzlies fanbase after their January 9th loss at home against the Houston Rockets after calling a timeout while the team was in transition to tie the game while down three points. It didn't help that Desmond Bane made the shot after the timeout was called and Houston was able to foul on the ensuing inbounds pass without the Grizzlies getting an opportunity to tie the game.
He took the blame for that in the postgame but the fanbase was more frustrated with the minutes played by their star players. Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane all average less than 30 minutes per game, and Morant and Jackson Jr. missed a critical part of their fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets while they were fighting back from a nine-point deficit.
The Grizzlies have 10 players who average at least 21 minutes per game and an 11th player, Brandon Clarke, who averages 18.6 minutes. The Grizzlies will need their stars to play north of 30 minutes in the games that are tightly contested and urgent for their place in the standings.
Sitting Ja Morant for six minutes in the fourth quarter of a game that was a current battle for the second seed and a tiebreaker scenario down the road can happen. Sitting Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. together for three minutes in the fourth quarter of the same game can't happen either, and many questioned it.
Grizzlies down 5 with 6 minutes left and there’s no Ja or Jaren in the game. Houston has its starting lineup in the game.
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) January 10, 2025
We’ll see what happens, I guess, but I don’t get it.
The Grizzlies are approaching full health but have the second toughest remaining strength of schedule (.521) in the NBA. A more definitive pecking order will need to be established quickly and their stars will need to play more minutes at the critical moments of close games to reverse their fortune in that department.