Grizzlies start season shorthanded amid injuries and roster changes

The Memphis Grizzlies entered the 2025-26 NBA season with multiple players sidelined, the team announced Monday, leaving the roster shorthanded for Wednesday night’s opener against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum. Guard Ty Jerome will miss at least four weeks with a high-grade right calf strain, Scotty Pippen Jr. is expected to be out about 12 weeks after toe surgery, and several other rotation players remain unavailable as the Grizzlies scramble to steady their lineup.

Head coach Tuomas Iisalo said star Ja Morant, who missed the preseason with a left ankle sprain, has "progressing really well" and was cleared for Wednesday’s game after participating in a shootaround. Iisalo also confirmed Jerome underwent additional testing following a brief stint in Friday’s preseason win at Miami, when he exited after four minutes with discomfort. The team said Jerome will be reevaluated in four weeks.

The team announced that Pippen underwent a sesamoidectomy on his left big toe on Tuesday and will be sidelined for roughly three months. Center Zach Edey remains out while recovering from left ankle surgery performed in September. Forward Brandon Clarke is also rehabbing after an...