The Memphis Grizzlies are navigating a rocky start to the season, and much of the conversation around their early struggles has centered on head coach Tuomas Iisalo’s unique approach to managing minutes. His system leans heavily on high-effort bursts-players go all-out in short stints before rotating out, with at least two or three substitutions happening frequently. It’s a strategy rooted in intensity and depth, but it’s also sparked plenty of debate among fans, particularly when it comes to the playing time of the team’s biggest stars.
Right now, Jaren Jackson Jr. leads the team in minutes per game at 29.2, with Ja Morant just behind him at 28.5. For Jackson, foul trouble has long been a factor-he’s averaged 28.6 minutes per game over his eight-year career-so his current playing time isn’t exactly out of the ordinary.
But for Morant, this marks his lowest average since entering the league. He’s never dipped below 30.4 minutes per game until now, and it comes at a time when he’s also posting career lows in shooting efficiency from both the field and beyond the arc.
Naturally, the question arises: are these limited minutes disrupting the rhythm of Memphis’ franchise cornerstones? It’s a fair concern.
For players who thrive on momentum and feel, being in and out of the game in shorter bursts can challenge their ability to find a groove. But then you look at what Victor Wembanyama just did in San Antonio, and it adds a different layer to the conversation.
Wembanyama, who returned from a calf strain at the same time as Morant, came off the bench for the first time in his young NBA career. He was on a minutes restriction-just 21 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team with the league’s best record.
But in those 21 minutes, he was electric: 21 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, and 6-of-11 shooting. He didn’t need more time to make an impact.
He just needed the opportunity.
Now, to be clear, comparing Wembanyama to Morant or Jackson Jr. isn’t apples-to-apples. Wemby’s size and skill set are a cheat code-7'4" with the agility and touch of a guard. But his performance still highlights a key truth in this league: great players find ways to produce, regardless of how many minutes they’re getting.
So when it comes to Memphis’ struggles, it’s becoming harder to pin the blame solely on Iisalo’s rotation strategy. Morant and Jackson Jr. have both played well in similar minutes before.
This isn’t uncharted territory for them. What’s different right now is the production-or lack thereof.
Morant is still working his way back into rhythm after the injury, and Jackson Jr. hasn’t quite found the defensive dominance or offensive consistency that made him an All-Star.
The rotation and minute distribution certainly affect lineup chemistry and late-game scenarios, but the core issue might be simpler: the Grizzlies’ stars just aren’t playing like stars right now. That can change-these are proven players with the talent to turn things around.
But if Memphis is going to climb out of this early-season hole, it won’t just be about tweaking substitution patterns. It’ll be about Morant and Jackson Jr. snapping out of their slumps and leading the way like they’ve done before.
Because when your best players are at their best, the rest tends to fall into place.