Grizzlies Facing Depth Test as Injuries Mount Ahead of Wizards Matchup
If you’re keeping count, the Memphis Grizzlies are down nine players heading into their December 20 matchup against the Washington Wizards - and that’s not a typo. This isn’t just a short-handed roster; it’s a team that’s being pushed to the edge of its depth chart.
The headline name here is, of course, Ja Morant. The star point guard will miss his second straight game after spraining his left ankle in the fourth quarter of Memphis’ December 15 win over the Clippers.
Head coach Tuomas Iisalo described Morant as “day-to-day,” and while the injury isn’t considered serious, the Grizzlies aren’t taking any chances. Given Morant’s importance to both the offense and the team’s overall identity, that’s the smart play.
Through 14 games this season, Morant has been putting up 17.7 points and 7.5 assists per game - solid numbers for a player still finding his rhythm after returning from suspension. But beyond the stats, it’s his pace, creativity, and ability to collapse defenses that the Grizzlies will miss most against Washington.
And it’s not just Morant. Vince Williams Jr. is now on the injury report as well, dealing with soreness in his left knee.
He’s been one of Memphis’ more versatile wings this season, carving out a role with his defense and improving offensive game. His absence only stretches the rotation thinner.
Two more players - GG Jackson and Jahmai Mashack - won’t be suiting up either, but for a different reason. They’ll be with the Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ G League affiliate, playing in the Winter League Showcase against the Windy City Bulls. According to Iisalo, there’s a chance they could rejoin the team afterward, but for now, they’re unavailable.
In the midst of all this, Memphis does get a bit of good news: Cam Spencer is back. The rookie guard missed the last game for personal reasons but returns at a time when the Grizzlies need every bit of firepower they can get.
Spencer’s quietly been one of the NBA’s best bench scorers lately, hitting double figures in 10 straight games and shooting a scorching 63.6% from deep - with 35 made threes during that stretch. That kind of efficiency off the bench is rare, and with so many key pieces missing, his shooting could be a game-changer.
This stretch of the season was already going to be a test for Memphis, but now it’s turned into a full-blown resilience check. With Morant sidelined and the roster thinned out, the Grizzlies will need to lean on role players, smart rotations, and a next-man-up mentality to keep pace in the Western Conference.
How they respond - especially against a Wizards team that’s shown flashes despite its record - could say a lot about the team’s depth, coaching, and long-term outlook.