The Memphis Grizzlies have opened the season rolling at 6-1, but they’ve had to do it without one of their rotation pieces. Scotty Pippen Jr. is sidelined with a back injury, and the latest word out of Memphis points to a return that may not be far off.
Pippen was ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, marking his second straight absence. Still, Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo sounded encouraged about where things stand, according to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. The expectation is that Pippen could fall into either day-to-day or week-to-week territory, which suggests the injury is not considered serious.
Before the setback, Pippen had appeared in the first five games of the season and was averaging just under 16 minutes a night. In that stretch, he put up 6.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 42.3 percent from the field, 22.2 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the free-throw line.
His last game came on Oct. 29 in Memphis’ win over the Portland Trail Blazers. He played 14 minutes, scored two points and made the only shot he attempted.
Now in his fourth season with the Grizzlies, the former Vanderbilt standout has carved out a spot after a winding start to his NBA career. Memphis first signed him to a two-way deal in 2023-24 before later giving him a standard four-year contract. He is in the third year of that deal, and the team holds an option for 2027-28.
Pippen entered the league as an undrafted player in the 2022 NBA Draft and began his pro career with the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-way contract.
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Pacers Face Another Early Test With Key Help Still Uncertain
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Ty Jerome was among the voices stressing what still has to tighten up for Memphis after that close defeat, especially on the possessions that swing games in the margins. With the Pacers coming in and the Grizzlies still trying to settle into their new identity, this one feels like more than just another November date on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]