The Memphis Grizzlies are gradually regaining their full lineup.
With Desmond Bane and Vince Williams Jr. returning from the injured list on Friday night and Marcus Smart having returned earlier in the week, the Grizzlies now have all their usual starters available except for two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant.
When the Grizzlies host the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, Morant will remain sidelined as he continues to recover from a right hip injury sustained on November 6 during a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He crashed to the floor attempting an alley-oop dunk, and his return is still listed as week-to-week.
Both Smart and Bane were injured in an October 30 game against Brooklyn. Smart turned an ankle, and Bane suffered an oblique strain, causing Bane to miss seven consecutive games.
In Friday’s 123-118 NBA Cup game loss to Golden State, Bane and Smart, normally starters, came off the bench. Bane played 27 minutes—second-most among Memphis players—and scored 18 points, his first game as a reserve since the 2021 season. Smart added nine points and six assists. Key reserve Williams made his season debut, contributing nine points, five rebounds, and four assists after recovering from a preseason shin injury.
Despite approaching full strength, the Grizzlies struggled, shooting a dismal 16.7 percent (7 of 42) from beyond the arc—one of the worst long-range performances in franchise history. Memphis starters, aside from Jaylen Wells (2 of 6), went 0-for-11 from 3-point range. Through three quarters, the Grizzlies shot 36.5 percent overall from the floor.
Denver also faced difficulties in its NBA Cup debut game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, struggling without three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic, who missed the game for personal reasons. Jokic is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Memphis.
Dario Saric stepped in for Jokic on Friday, recording nine points, eight rebounds, and five assists in 34 minutes.
Without Jokic controlling the boards, New Orleans grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and outrebounded Denver 56-38 in their 101-94 victory.
