Grizzlies at the Christmas Break: A Team Still Searching for Stability Amid Injury Chaos
As the NBA calendar hits its unofficial reset button around Christmas, the Memphis Grizzlies find themselves in a familiar spot - fighting for relevance in a crowded Western Conference. With a 14-16 record heading into the holiday break, the Grizzlies sit on the fringe of the play-in picture. But given the circumstances, that mark may say more about their resilience than their shortcomings.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t an underachieving team. This is a team that’s been holding on with duct tape and grit.
Context Is Everything
The Grizzlies have been playing without two of their top three contributors for most of the season. Ja Morant, the face of the franchise, has only suited up for 14 games.
And when he has played, he hasn’t looked like the electric force we’ve come to expect. His offensive numbers have taken a dip, and even if you’re starting to question whether Morant can return to his All-NBA form, there’s no denying that losing your starting point guard - and most of your depth behind him - is going to hurt.
But the real revelation this season has been Zach Edey.
The 7-foot-5 rookie has only appeared in 11 of Memphis’ 30 games, but when he’s on the floor, he changes everything. Offensively, he’s a walking mismatch.
Defensively, he clogs the paint like few others in the league. Under new head coach Tuomas Iisalo, Edey has looked like a different player - not just a novelty because of his size, but a legitimate building block.
That’s a stark contrast to his role under former coach Taylor Jenkins, where he was more of an afterthought than a focal point.
Edey’s impact is real, but it’s also been limited. He simply hasn’t played enough to consistently shift outcomes.
And he's not alone in missing time. Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Brandon Clarke - all expected to be part of the regular rotation - have barely touched the court this season.
So when half your roster is on the shelf, it’s tough to draw sweeping conclusions. The Grizzlies aren’t where they want to be, but given the circumstances, they’ve managed to stay afloat - and that keeps the door open for a second-half push.
The Bright Spots: Value Finds and Emerging Talent
Despite the setbacks, Memphis has uncovered some real gems.
Cam Spencer might be the best bang-for-your-buck player in the NBA right now. He’s been one of the league’s most efficient offensive wings and is locked into a deal that pays him less over the next four years than what Memphis is paying Luke Kennard this season. That’s the kind of value that front offices dream about.
Vince Williams Jr. has also stepped up in a big way. After a rough 2024-25 campaign, he’s bounced back with a more complete offensive game. He’s creating looks for himself and others - something we hadn’t seen consistently from him in the past.
And then there’s rookie Cedric Coward. He’s not putting up flashy numbers, but he’s making winning plays. Defense, hustle, timely passes - Coward already looks like a guy who belongs in an NBA rotation, and that’s not something you can say about every rookie this early.
Who Needs to Step Up?
Let’s talk about the stars.
Ja Morant’s absence is one thing, but even when he’s played, he hasn’t looked like himself. That’s a major concern for a team that’s built around his explosiveness and playmaking.
Jaren Jackson Jr. has had his moments - he was recently named Western Conference Player of the Week - but over the course of the season, the consistency hasn’t been there. Statistically, he owns the worst efficiency differential on the team among players with at least 200 minutes. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a player making north of $30 million this season.
Santi Aldama is another one to watch. Offensively, he’s been having a career year.
But on the defensive end? It’s been rough.
His lapses have been costly, and when you’re part of a core trio making nearly $94 million combined, you need to be making a positive impact on both sides of the ball.
NBA contracts aren’t just about talent - they’re about expectations. When you command that much of a team’s cap space, you’re expected to move the needle. Right now, Morant, Jackson, and Aldama haven’t done that consistently enough.
What's Next?
If the Grizzlies want to be buyers at the trade deadline, they’ll need more from their stars - and fast. Otherwise, they risk sliding further down the standings and pivoting toward a longer-term rebuild.
There’s still time. Edey’s return could be a game-changer.
Morant might find his rhythm. Jackson could put together a more consistent stretch.
But the margin for error is shrinking.
Christmas may be the unofficial start of the NBA season, but for Memphis, it also feels like a checkpoint - a moment to take stock of what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change before this season slips away.
The Grizzlies aren’t out of the fight. But they’ve got to start landing punches soon.