The Memphis Grizzlies walked off the court with a win over the LA Clippers-but the celebration came with a catch. Ja Morant, the heartbeat of this team, exited with yet another ankle injury.
Just days after rookie big man Zach Edey was sidelined, the Grizzlies were hit with another gut punch. And while Jaren Jackson Jr. delivered a strong performance, the locker room vibe was more muted than euphoric.
Head coach Tuomas Iisalo, standing at the podium postgame, didn’t sugarcoat the moment. He acknowledged the concern around Morant’s injury, but he also took a step back-offering a glimpse into the mindset that’s shaping this young, battle-tested Memphis squad.
“Very unfortunate. Ja tweaked his ankle there,” Iisalo said.
“He’ll be evaluated further, but I don’t have anything else on that. Hoping for the best, obviously there for him and for the team, so a little bit bitter taste from the win because of that.”
That’s the balance Iisalo is trying to strike: acknowledging the setbacks without letting them define the journey. And if there’s anyone who understands how to navigate adversity, it’s him.
Iisalo’s path to the NBA doesn’t follow the traditional script. Before landing in Memphis, he built his coaching résumé across Europe-starting in Finland, then making stops in France and Germany.
Most notably, he led Telekom Baskets Bonn to the 2023 Basketball Champions League title. That kind of résumé doesn’t just speak to tactical knowledge-it speaks to adaptability, perspective, and a deep understanding of how to lead through the grind.
“I mean, you try to grow all the time,” Iisalo said, reflecting on his coaching evolution. “So whether it is in Germany, France, Finland, or in the US, whatever league you’re in, that’s the idea.
It would be very hypocritical for me not to ask myself to grow when we are asking that from our players. Everybody has to evolve and try to be better.”
That’s not just coach-speak. It’s a philosophy, one that’s already starting to shape the Grizzlies’ identity under his watch.
With Morant’s status uncertain, the Grizzlies are staring down yet another test in a season that’s already thrown them more than a few curveballs. But Iisalo isn’t one to flinch. He’s been through enough to know that growth rarely comes without discomfort.
“I’ve learned one thing over the years,” he said. “It’s always when you have challenging situations, they might feel difficult in the moment, but they’re the ones where you actually learn something.
And you have to come up with solutions. This is not about me, it’s not about any individual.
We just all try to do our work, all try to contribute to the overall goal.”
That mindset is going to be critical in the days ahead. Morant is the engine of this team, and losing him-even temporarily-reshuffles the deck.
But the Grizzlies have been here before. They’ve weathered injuries, lineup changes, and the natural growing pains of a young roster.
What’s different now is the voice leading them through it. Iisalo isn’t just managing minutes and rotations-he’s building a culture.
One that doesn’t crumble under pressure, but leans into it. One that understands the value of staying connected, especially when the path gets rocky.
So yes, the win over the Clippers was big. But the real story is how Memphis responds to the adversity that came with it. If Iisalo’s steady hand and growth-first mentality are any indication, the Grizzlies won’t just survive this latest setback-they’ll find a way to come out stronger on the other side.