$478 MILLION ON THE BENCH! Grizzlies Face Daunting Financial Commitment with Star-Studded Injury List
Unfortunately, the Memphis Grizzlies’ injury woes from the 2024–2025 season have only gotten worse. Star point guard Ja Morant sprained his left ankle during practice on
Sunday and is now listed as week-to-week. This devastating news comes days after the franchise announced that key players would miss the season opener. The 2025–26 campaign is already in jeopardy.
With Morant now injured, the Grizzlies now collectively have $478 million sitting on the bench. Morant is earning $197 million, Jaren Jackson Jr. is earning $205 million, Zach Edey is earning $26 million, and Brandon Clarke is earning $50 million.
After a devastating 27-55 season in 2023–24, Memphis recovered to finish 48–34 last season, good enough for eighth place in the Western Conference. The timing of this setback could not be worse.
Morant’s injury is the latest blow in a series of setbacks that began over the summer and now leaves a team that had a good offseason in disarray as the season gets closer to a return.
What is Going On?
Jaren Jackson Jr., a two-time All-Star, had surgery in July to repair a turf toe he hurt while working out for the NBA season.
The availability of the 2022–23 Defensive Player of the Year, who was once anticipated to be re-evaluated in 12 weeks, is now slated to return in 4-6 weeks, which puts opening night on October 22 in serious doubt.
The team’s injury problems aren’t limited to its superstars, either. Zach Edey, the ninth overall pick and a rookie centre, may miss the first two months of the season after undergoing ankle surgery.
Meanwhile, forward Brandon Clarke is recovering from right knee synovitis without a clear return timeline, although it is expected he will miss significant time to open the season.
Can the Grizzlies Hold Up?
In a loaded Western Conference, even staying healthy doesn’t guarantee anything.
These absences present a massive battle for a Grizzlies team navigating the brutal Western Conference.
Memphis already faces an uphill battle against powerhouses like Denver, Oklahoma City, both Los Angeles teams, and Houston, but with up-and-coming teams like the Pelicans and Spurs, it could get even more bleak for Memphis.
Both Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies’ defensive rock, and Morant, who has been in just 56% of Memphis’ games during the 2021-22 season, make moving ahead a challenging prospect.
The team that finished last season with the second-best point average in the NBA (121.7) will have to adjust to the new season without its starting point guard and leading scorer.
In a conference where every game matters, these injuries could prove catastrophic to Memphis’ playoff aspirations even before Halloween arrives.
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