Jahmai Mashack injury update: Why former Tennessee star is not playing Summer League game

Jahmai Mashack is unavailable for the Memphis Grizzlies in their showdown against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Summer League on Friday. Mashack has a hamstring injury, per sideline reporter Stephanie Ready.

Mashack played in the Grizzlies first Summer League game on Tuesday. The Grizzlies fell 91-90 to the Philadelphia 76ers’ Summer League squad. In the loss, Mashack tallied 13 points and three steals in 24 minutes of action. He shot 4-9 from the field and 3-4 from beyond the arc.

The Grizzlies selected Jahmai Mashack with the No. 59 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Mashack played four years at Tennessee, where he, along with teammate Zakai Zeigler, amassed the most victories by a four-year player in program history, finishing 109-36 (.752).

“I’m excited because I’ve always been about winning,” Mashack said after being drafted. I’ve always wanted to be and strived to be a winner and I think that fits what they’re trying to do, as well.”

In the 2024-25 season at Tennessee, Mashack averaged 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.7 steals in 28.2 minutes per game, while shooting 45.4% from the floor and 35.1% from 3-point range. Mashack was named a member of the SEC All-Defensive Team for his efforts.

He was also a 2025 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year finalist and the 2025 Field of 68 National Defense POTY. He has the chance to make a legitimate impact on defense at the next level, but must recover from his injury first.

In his debut in the Summer League, Mashack showed off his physicality for better or worse. In the NBA Summer League, a player must commit 10 fouls to foul out of a game. Mashack did just that after attempting to take a charge with 1:46 left in the fourth quarter.

Grizzlies fans shouldn’t expect Mashack to be sidelined for long. He never missed a game in his four years at Tennessee. After being drafted, Jahmai Mashack released a heartfelt message to Volunteers fans.

“Vol Nation – To the countless fans who have become my family, I THANK YOU!” Mashack wrote on Instagram. “You welcomed me. You appreciated my heart. You respected my commitment. You allowed me to boldly share my faith. You gave to the community WITH me. You encouraged me as I gave 110% of myself 100% of the time. THANK YOU for understanding ME.”