If there’s one motif for the Memphis Grizzlies this season, it’s injuries. Almost their entire lineup have been ravaged by one injury or another, the most notable absence being Ja Morant.
Ja only played nine games before his shoulder injury took him out for the rest of the season. He even managed to sort out one of his legal issues while waiting for his body to completely recover for the 2024-25 season.
With the Grizzlies having nothing to play for, only a few expect them to put up a fight against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the number of players the Grizzlies have waiting on the sidelines will have fans either crying or laughing over how ridiculous the situation has become.
13 Memphis Grizzlies players will be out vs the Los Angeles Lakers
The Spun’s Kameron Duncan reported the injury report the Grizzlies released ahead of their game against the Purple and Gold. Aside from Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Marcus Smart will be sitting on the bench.
As if the sight of these four sitting on the bench is not painful enough for the Memphis Grizzlies faithful, Duncan noted the other injured players and the men who will take their place on the floor:
Bench players like Santi Aldama, Derrick Rose and Ziaire Williams are also out for the game.
The Grizzlies will be forced to rely on youth as they have for most of this season, calling on players like GG Jackson and other young talents from their G-League club, the Memphis Hustle.
While the situation provides a good opportunity for the G League players to get some NBA game time, it also brings home the thought that it’s been an unfortunate season for the Grizzlies. They had to wait for Morant to start the season later due to the league-mandated suspension, which already put them in a tough spot.
Losing Morant on January 8 only solidified the idea among fans that they’re better off focusing on which players they would probably land in the 2024 Draft.
The Los Angeles Lakers also have injury concerns of their own
The Grizzlies aren’t the only team struggling with the injury bug this late in the season. The Lakers also have quite an injury list themselves, and two of their injured involve their stars.
LeBron James is nursing a hurt ankle while Anthony Davis is dealing with a head injury. Other notable absences include Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt.
While the Lakers report their participation as a game-time decision, the final two games of the season are important for the Lakers to keep their spot in the play-in and make an unlikely run to the Larry O’Brien trophy.
More must-reads: