SportSpyder - The Latest Memphis Grizzlies News

18 September 2025

• [Sports Illustrated] - Two NBA Trade Target for Memphis Grizzlies to Address Injury Concerns
  The Memphis Grizzlies undoubtedly have the talent to compete in the Western Conference, led by a star duo of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., but their X-factor
• [Fansided: Beale Street Bears] - Grizzles continue to grant Ja Morant his longtime wish
  Ja Morant doesn't want to play for any team other than the Memphis Grizzlies.
• [Fansided: Beale Street Bears] - Don’t sleep on Olivier-Maxence Prosper emerging as a difference-maker for Memphis
  Olivier-Maxence Prosper is poised for a breakout year. Here’s why his development could be key to the Grizzlies’ success in 2025-26.
• [Fansided: Beale Street Bears] - The ultimate test awaits Tuomas Iisalo in Memphis this season
  Tuomas Iisalo took over a difficult situation late last season. With a full offseason to prepare, the true test for Tuomas Iisalo begins soon.
• [The Athletic] - Desmond Bane is feeling the love in Orlando — even when he’s stuck on a highway
  Bane's arrival has Magic fans giddy — and expectations higher than at any time since Dwight Howard's heyday.
• [Locked On Grizzlies] - The dangers of overlooking (and under looking) the Memphis Grizzlies
  Zach Edey is somehow simultaneously over and under looked by most NBA folks entering in to the 2025-2026 season. But who else on the Memphis Grizzlies could...
• [Fansided: Beale Street Bears] - Predicting the Grizzlies' rotation — and the surprises no one sees coming
  The Grizzlies will need to settle on their primary playing rotation, and there will likely not be many surprises.
• [Fansided: Beale Street Bears] - The one thing the Grizzlies need to do to surpass the Clippers this season
  The Grizzlies have a clear path to pass the Clippers in the West — but it all hinges on one critical adjustment they must make
• [Last Word on Sports] - Vince Williams Jr. Aims to Restore the Grit in Memphis
  When the selected with the 47th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the move barely registered on the national radar. A two-way contract followed, and Williams’ early path suggested a developmental role rather than an immediate impact. But through perseverance and flashes of high-level play, Williams earned a multi-year contract in January 2024. His rise from an overlooked pick to a meaningful contributor quickly became one of Memphis’ most intriguing storylines. Vince Williams Jr. Aims to Restore the Grit in Memphis Steady Growth and Setbacks Williams’ production illustrates both his promise and the challenges he faced. During the 2023–24 season, he logged 52 games at 27.6 minutes per contest, averaging 10.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. It was a breakout year that hinted at a reliable two-way wing who could defend, rebound, and connect the offense. The 2024–25 season, however, was far more turbulent. Through 27 games, Williams averaged 6.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 18.5 minutes per night. While still efficient in stretches, his reduced role and diminished output stemmed largely from injury interruptions and the struggle to regain rhythm. Year-by-Year Breakdown: 2023–24 (MEM): 52 GP, 27.6 MIN, 10.0 PTS, 5.6 REB, 3.4 AST 2024–25 (MEM): 27 GP, 18.5 MIN, 6.6 PTS, 3.6 REB, 2.0 AST The Injury Hurdle Health was the defining obstacle in Williams’ young career. A stress reaction in his left tibia sidelined him for stretches of the 2023–24 season and lingered into the following year. In November 2024, he suffered a Grade 3 right ankle sprain, an injury that kept him out for an extended period and limited his explosiveness when he returned. Adding to the adversity, Williams missed additional time in September 2025 due to illness. The cumulative effect of these setbacks was a stunted progression. Instead of building on his breakout campaign, he was forced to recalibrate, rehabbing his body while regaining consistency on the court. Defensive Identity and the “Grizzlies Grit” When healthy, Williams embodied the very qualities Memphis fans revere: toughness, defensive intensity, and selfless play. At 6-foot-6 with a sturdy frame and high basketball IQ, he could guard multiple positions and disrupt elite wings. His ability to close out on shooters, fight through screens, and switch onto guards made him a valuable piece in a league increasingly defined by versatility. Memphis has long thrived on its gritty reputation, a culture cultivated during the “Grit and Grind” era led by, and Williams, though not yet a household name, fit that mold. His defense-first mentality gave the Grizzlies a chance to rediscover that edge. The Bounce-Back Season The key question for Williams is simple: Can he stay on the floor? If he returns to full health, there is a clear path for him to reestablish himself as a rotational cornerstone. Memphis, a team in transition with young stars and evolving roles, needs wings who can defend and move the ball. Williams checks those boxes when available. For Williams, 2025 represented both a challenge and an opportunity. Injuries tested his resolve, but his track record suggested resilience. The Grizzlies hoped he could once again showcase the form he displayed in 2023–24, when his versatility made him one of the team’s most dependable options. A Player Memphis Needs Vince Williams Jr.’s story is one of perseverance. Drafted in the late second round, he clawed his way into a meaningful role. Injuries derailed his ascent, but his potential remained intact. For a franchise searching to recapture its trademark grit, Williams was precisely the kind of player who could help lead that revival, if health finally stays on his side. © Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images The post appeared first on .
• [Fansided: Beale Street Bears] - How the Grizzlies went from NBA’s future kings to hitting reset
  The Grizzlies went from a future NBA dynasty to a reset. Here’s how Memphis fell and what comes next.