Grizzlies falter late despite strong start, questions remain

Jun 6, 2025 7:58 PM

After winning 56 games in 2021/22 and 51 in ’22/23, the Memphis Grizzlies suffered heavy injuries in ’23/24, including star Ja Morant, who missed most of the season after a suspension and shoulder injury.

Heading into ’24/25, despite losing key players like Dillon Brooks, Tyus Jones, and Steven Adams, Memphis kept its core of Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane, plus promising young talent like Scotty Pippen Jr. and Vince Williams.

By February, the Grizzlies held the No. 2 seed with a 35-16 record, led by All-NBA Jackson and strong performances from Bane and rookies Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey. Morant was back but not fully healthy.

At the trade deadline, Memphis made a surprising move, trading away Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia for Marvin Bagley and Johnny Davis, who didn’t contribute much on the court.

This move was more about future financial flexibility than immediate impact.

After the deadline, the Grizzlies went 13-18, with their defense dropping from 7th to 19th in the league and offense falling from 5th to 16th.

This slump cost coach Taylor Jenkins his job, and Memphis barely clinched the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, losing quickly to the Thunder.

Memphis has now promoted assistant Tuomas Iisalo to head coach and retains cap flexibility from moving off Smart’s contract.

Despite improving by 21 wins from the previous season, the team faces big questions this offseason.