Grizzlies Suffer Key Injury in Loss to Trail Blazer. The Memphis Grizzlies faced another setback during their road game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. Already missing star guard Ja Morant due to left hamstring soreness, the Grizzlies struggled and fell 115-99 as Portland’s Deni Avdija dominated with 31 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Adding to their woes, forward Brandon Clarke exited early in the first quarter with right knee soreness and did not return. Clarke, who has been a key contributor this season after missing most of last year, managed just one rebound in five minutes before his night ended.
Memphis, now on a two-game losing streak, drops to 43-26 and sits in fifth place in the Western Conference. With multiple injuries already affecting their roster, the Grizzlies can’t afford to lose more key players as they continue their five-game road trip, next facing the LA Clippers on Friday. Clarke’s availability remains uncertain.
Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers Injury Report
Both teams entered Wednesday’s matchup dealing with significant injuries. The Grizzlies had seven players on their injury report, including Ja Morant, Santi Aldama, GG Jackson, Yuki Kawamura, Scotty Pippen Jr., Zyon Pullin, and Lamar Stevens. Morant was ruled out due to left hamstring soreness, while Pippen Jr. was questionable with a wrist issue.
The Trail Blazers also had six players listed, with Deandre Ayton (calf strain) and Robert Williams III (knee sprain) among those sidelined.
The Grizzlies and Trail Blazers are scheduled to tip off at 10:00 PM EST, with Memphis looking to bounce back despite their growing list of injuries.
Key Grizzlies Players Who Need to Step Up Before the NBA Playoffs
Grizzlies Facing Growing Concerns as Playoffs Approach
As the regular season winds down, it’s becoming harder for fans to ignore the Memphis Grizzlies’ struggles. Their 132-122 loss to the Sacramento Kings marked a rough start to a critical five-game road trip, exposing key weaknesses in their roster. Currently sitting fifth in the Western Conference at 43-26, the Grizzlies—led by Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane—need more from their supporting cast to remain competitive. However, head coach Taylor Jenkins is still waiting for GG Jackson, Vince Williams Jr., and Cam Spencer to emerge as impactful contributors before the postseason.
Despite still being in position for a top-six playoff seed, Memphis’ grip on homecourt advantage in the first round has weakened since the All-Star break. Once a firm contender for the second seed, they now find themselves closer to the 11th-place Phoenix Suns than the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder. Their struggles against winning teams (4-13 in 2025) highlight the need for improved offensive efficiency and defensive discipline beyond their core group of Morant, Bane, Jackson Jr., and Santi Aldama.
Jackson’s scoring could relieve pressure when Morant and Bane face aggressive defenses, while Williams Jr.’s defensive versatility will be crucial against elite scorers like Steph Curry, Luka Dončić, and Kevin Durant. Spencer, known for his shooting and confidence, could provide much-needed floor spacing and clutch moments, as he has shown in both the NBA and G-League.
The question remains: Can Jackson, Williams Jr., and the outspoken Spencer prove they can be trusted in the postseason?
