The Brooklyn Nets, mired in a tough season with defensive inconsistencies and injuries, travel to face the Memphis Grizzlies, who are battling their own injury woes but showing flashes of resilience. This non-conference matchup pits a struggling Eastern Conference team against a Western squad looking to climb back into playoff contention. The Grizzlies’ home court advantage and defensive identity could prove decisive against a Nets team on a losing streak.
Venue Location
The game will take place at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. This arena, home to the Grizzlies since 2004, has a capacity of approximately 18,119 and is known for its energetic crowd during key games.
Tip-off is scheduled for3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT local time). The game will be televised on YES (for Nets markets) and FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (for Grizzlies markets), with streaming available via NBA League Pass.
Injury Report
Both teams are hampered by injuries, with the Grizzlies particularly thin in the frontcourt and backcourt, while the Nets’ depth is tested across positions. Reports are based on the latest available data as of January 10, 2026.
Brooklyn Nets:
Ben Saraf (G): Out – Left knee soreness. Missed recent games and ruled out for this matchup.
Haywood Highsmith (SF): Out – Right knee surgery/injury recovery. Long-term absence following surgery.
Cameron Johnson (SF): Out – Left hamstring strain. Sidelined and not expected back soon.
E.J. Liddell (SF): Out – G League assignment. Not available for NBA action.
Tyson Etienne (G): Out – G League two-way. Unavailable.
The Nets’ wing positions are depleted, forcing reliance on players like Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton to carry more load.
Memphis Grizzlies:
Ja Morant (PG): Out – Right calf contusion. Expected to miss this game amid ongoing recovery and trade speculation.
Zach Edey (C): Out – Left ankle stress reaction. Long-term injury with no immediate return.
Brandon Clarke (PF): Out – Left calf strain. Sidelined for multiple games.
Vince Williams Jr. (SF): Out – Undisclosed (likely knee or ankle related from recent reports). Not playing.
Cedric Coward (G/F): Questionable – Right ankle sprain. Game-time decision.
Additional notes: Up to seven players could be listed, including potential illness for others, but the core absences revolve around Morant and frontcourt depth.
Without Morant, the Grizzlies will lean on Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane for scoring.
Key Player Matchups
With injuries altering lineups, expect adjusted rotations. The Grizzlies’ defense could target the Nets’ perimeter scoring, while Brooklyn aims to exploit Memphis’ depleted interior.
Cam Thomas (Nets SG) vs. Desmond Bane (Grizzlies SG): Thomas, Brooklyn’s leading scorer (averaging around 24-25 PPG recently), faces Bane’s two-way play. Bane’s defensive tenacity could limit Thomas’ efficiency, but Thomas’ quickness might create open looks.
Nic Claxton (Nets C) vs. Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies PF/C): A battle of athletic bigs. Jackson’s shot-blocking (leading the league in blocks) vs. Claxton’s rebounding and finishing. With Edey and Clarke out, Jackson may anchor the paint, but Claxton could dominate boards.
Dorian Finney-Smith (Nets PF) vs. Santi Aldama or Jake LaRavia (Grizzlies F): Finney-Smith’s veteran defense against Memphis’ versatile forwards. This matchup could dictate spacing, as both sides need floor-stretchers.
Shake Milton or Egor Demin (Nets PG, filling in) vs. Scotty Pippen Jr. (Grizzlies PG, with Morant out): Point guard duties fall to backups; expect turnovers if either struggles against pressure.
The game’s outcome may hinge on frontcourt physicality, with Jackson’s performance central for Memphis.
Recent Team Forms
Brooklyn Nets: The Nets are slumping, with a 1-9 record in their last 10 games, including a five-game losing streak. Recent losses include a 121-105 defeat to the Clippers (Jan 9), a 104-103 OT heartbreaker to the Magic (Jan 7), and a 119-99 blowout by the Wizards (Jan 2). Offense has been inconsistent (averaging under 100 PPG in losses), with poor shooting (below 45% FG in recent outings) and defensive lapses allowing 115+ points frequently. Last 5: L-L-L-L-L.
Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies have been up-and-down, going 4-6 in their last 10, but better at home. They recently lost 117-116 to the Thunder (Jan 9) after blowing a lead, fell 117-98 to the Suns (Jan 7), but edged the Spurs 106-105 (Jan 6). Defense remains a strength (holding opponents under 110 in wins), but injuries have hurt transition scoring. Last 5: L-L-W-L-W.
Series History
All-time, the Memphis Grizzlies lead the Brooklyn Nets 31-27 in 58 regular-season games. Recently, the Nets have held a slight edge, winning 4 of the last 10 matchups, including 3 of the last 5. In their most recent encounters (2024-25 season), results were split, with Memphis winning at home but Brooklyn taking road games. At FedExForum, the Grizzlies have a 18-11 advantage historically, often leveraging their physical style.
Betting Trends
Trends lean under, as Grizzlies games average lower totals (around 220) with strong defense, and Nets’ recent games have gone under in 13 of 20.
Grizzlies are 2-3 ATS in last 5 games but 12-8 ATS when scoring 115+ points. Nets are 2-4 ATS in last 6, 1-5 SU in last 6, and struggle on the road (8-11 ATS away). Head-to-head, the under has hit in 4 of last 6 meetings.
Game Odds
Brooklyn Nets 221.5
Memphis Grizzlies – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, January 10, 2026
