The Memphis Grizzlies may have to navigate Saturday night’s matchup with Sacramento without a few important pieces, even as they try to keep their perfect start rolling.
Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Quinten Post all showed up on the injury report ahead of the 8 p.m. ET tip at Memphis, where the Grizzlies open a four-game homestand against the winless Kings. Jerome and Pippen are questionable, while Post is doubtful.
Jerome is dealing with upper back soreness, and his status matters plenty for a Memphis team that has leaned on him from the jump. Through five games, the 29-year-old leads the Grizzlies in scoring at 25.8 points per game, and he’s adding 5.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 47.3% from the field. He’s been the engine of Memphis’ 5-0 start.
Pippen has been a steady backcourt presence, giving the Grizzlies minutes and balance off the bench. He’s averaging 6.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 16 minutes per game, and he’s played in all five games while shooting 42.3% from the floor. He’s listed with lower back soreness.
Post, meanwhile, is nursing a right ankle sprain. He’s provided efficient scoring in a reserve role, putting up 7.6 points per game while shooting 62.5% overall and 41.7% from three. If he can’t go, Isaiah Stewart could see more chances in the frontcourt rotation.
Memphis comes in off a 124-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, a result that finished off a four-game road trip without a loss. The Grizzlies also already handled Sacramento once this season, beating the Kings 123-112 on Oct. 25 behind Jerome’s 31-point night.
Now Memphis gets Sacramento again, with the Grizzlies trying to stretch their winning streak to six despite the uncertainty around three rotation players. Their final availability will be decided closer to tipoff.
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Memphis, meanwhile, has its own injury uncertainty to monitor. The Grizzlies listed Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. as questionable, leaving a little bit of suspense around a game that already carries a lopsided feel on paper. For Sacramento, the challenge is obvious: survive the trip, stay competitive and hope the availability picture shifts before the ball goes up. [Read more 🡒]
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Boozers fifth career game was the one that really jolted the conversation, because it showed just how far his ceiling might stretch if this start is any indication. Memphis does not need to rush the story, but it is hard to ignore how quickly Boozer has pushed himself into rare company while helping the Grizzlies win at a pace that has fans thinking bigger than they probably expected in October. [Read more 🡒]