As the Memphis Grizzlies face off against the San Antonio Spurs tonight in Frost Bank Center, one face is missing. Ja Morant, the floor general for the visiting team, is not playing tonight, as he sits to rehab an injury suffered earlier this week.

Morant is out with a right calf strain, which he suffered against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 15th, and is set to be sidelined for at least two weeks before reevaluation. It’s not the worst-case scenario, but given the team’s struggles early this season, it could turn out to be the exclamation point on a catastrophic start to the 2025-26 campaign.

Against Cleveland, Morant exited the first quarter after experiencing discomfort in his calf, and is expected to be out until at least early December while he recovers. With his loss, the team’s already short-handed guard-rotation is dealt a massive blow, especially since the team is already missing both Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome, the latter being a major offseason addition.

Tonight, the Grizzlies are rolling out a lineup of Vince Williams Jr. and rookie Cedric Coward at the guard spots, sophomore Jaylen Wells and Jaren Jackson Jr. at forward, and Zach Edey at center. Edey, notably, will play his second game this season, having made his debut against Cleveland, the same game Morant got injured. With Morant out, the entire tempo of the team now depends on Jackson, who will be looked at as primary creator, a role he can handle in stretches but not one Memphis wants to rely on every night.

Morant has struggled mightily so far this season under rookie head coach Tuomas Iisalo’s system, recording 17.9 points, his lowest since his rookie year, along with 7.6 assists on a career worst 35.9% from the field and 16.7% from three. Along with this, he’s had noticeably lower burst on his drives and is averaging a career-high 3.8 turnovers per game.

Apart from all the listed injuries, Memphis is also missing guard Javon Small and Brandon Clarke. On the other side, The Spurs are also dealing with injury issues of their own.

San Antonio Spurs Also Short-Handed as Depth Takes Center Stage

The San Antonio Spurs enter tonight’s matchup dealing with major losses of their own, with both of their previous two Rookie of the Year winners. Victor Wembanyama is sidelined for the next few weeks due to left calf tightness, missing his first game of the season after an explosive start: 26.2 points per game, leading the league in blocks, and top-two in rebounds. Stephon Castle, who exited their last game with a left hip injury, is also set to be reevaluated in two weeks. Even despite this, the Spurs beat the Kings 123-110, with De’Aaron Fox getting revenge on his previous team with 28 points and 11 assists.

Their depth will now be tested as San Antonio wraps up their fourth game of a five-match homestand before heading into a grueling seven away games in eight outings. Castle had taken a clear leap in this sophomore season, averaging 17.3 points and 7.5 assists on nearly 50% from the field, making his absence especially impactful on top of the massive defensive void left by Wemby. Still, Sunday’s effort showed that the team is intent on surviving this early season attrition.

Memphis came into this game with their own challenges, coming off four straight losses and their eighth defeat in the last nine games. In their most recent game, against Cleveland, the Grizzlies had built an 11-point lead, but collapsed in the fourth quarter 32-16 despite a strong night from Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama. But now, with Ja Morant joining the injury list, Memphis will try to search for stability on both ends.