Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies suffered a teamwide infestation by the injury bug during the 2023-24 season. 11 players missed over 20 games played due to injury or illness with five of those players, including Ja Morant, sitting for over half the season. 19 different players missed time due to injury resulting in 523 games lost to injury or illness, the highest number of games lost since the league switched to a game-to-game Inactive List prior to the 2005-06 season.

The injury total was doomed from the beginning after Steven Adams (knee) and Brandon Clarke (Achilles) entered the season recovering from significant injuries. Things only got worse with as the backcourt was hit particularly hard with injuries. Morant (shoulder), Desmond Bane (G3 ankle sprain), Marcus Smart (ring finger), and Derrick Rose (osteitis pubis) all missed substantial time following injury.

Memphis promoted Katie Babcock to Head Athletic Trainer in the offseason. Babcock will work with Head of Sports Medicine Eric Oetter as they attempt to right the ship in Memphis. The team are already facing adversity as GG Jackson suffered a broken foot in an offseason workout and Vince Williams Jr. working his way back from a stress reaction in his tibia. Minor injuries for Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. have limited their preseason action but aren’t expected to carry over much into the regular season.