Struggling Grizzlies marred with injuries to key starters

Injuries continue to plague the Memphis Grizzlies.

Guards Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart left Wednesday's game against the Nets due to injuries. Bane suffered an oblique injury in the third quarter, while Smart left the game in the first quarter after rolling his ankle. 

Both are listed as "day-to-day" but the extent of their injuries won't be known until further tests.

Memphis is already dealing with injuries to GG Jackson II (foot), Luke Kennard (foot), Vince Williams Jr. (shin) and Cam Spencer (ankle).

The Grizzlies are off a 2-3 start to the season, suffering losses to teams in last year's lottery such as the Rockets, Bulls and Nets. The back-to-back losses to the Bulls and Nets came after their statement 124-111 win over the Magic last Saturday. 

The last thing the Grizzlies need is for Bane or Smart to miss an extended period. Bane, the team's best shooter, was starting to find his rhythm before the unfortunate injury on Wednesday. 

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said the team had no option but to brave the injuries ahead of Thursday's clash against the Bucks.

"We just have to fill up our cup and bring a better effort against the Bucks," Jenkins said. "Whoever is available to play, we just have to go out there and compete and be better than the last two games. The guys in the locker room are feeling it, they know it's unacceptable. We have to find a way to be better, me included. I gotta lead better and get them prepared better.

A lot was expected from Memphis at the start of the 2024-25 season, especially with a returning Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke, who missed most of the 2023-24 season due to injuries. Some analysts expected the Grizzlies to return to the 50-win team they were in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. 

Memphis hasn't resembled a 50-win team thus far, possibly due to Morant still working himself back to full fitness. In four games thus far, the athletic guard is averaging 19 points, 8.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds while shooting an appalling 16.7 percent from three. His PPG is the lowest since his debut season in 2019-20 when he averaged 17.8 points.