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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been fined $75,000 for twice making an inappropriate gesture on the playing court, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. Morant was previously warned by the league office that this gesture could be interpreted in a negative light.
The gestures were made by Morant during the Grizzlies’110-108 victory over the Miami Heat on April 3 at Kaseya Center.
The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team has named Tuomas Iisalo interim head coach for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Iisalo joined the Grizzlies as lead assistant coach prior to the start of the 2024-25 season following serving as a head coach in Europe with Paris Basketball (2023-24), Telekom Baskets Bonn (2021-23) and Crailsheim Merlins (2016-21).
The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the following medical update for forward/center Brandon Clarke:
Clarke has been diagnosed with a high-grade PCL sprain in his right knee, which he sustained during a fall to the floor in the first quarter of the Grizzlies’ game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 19.
Per the Memphis Commercial Appeal, “Clarke, who has appeared in 64 games this season, has been one of the Grizzlies’ best interior players. His defensive versatility and rim-running ability on offense led to averages of 8.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 62.1% shooting from the field in a career-low 18.9 minutes per game.”
Clarke is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season, and further updates will be provided after a treatment plan and timeline are set.
The Memphis Grizzlies have signed forward Lamar Stevens for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Stevens (6-6, 230) has come off the bench in six games for the Grizzlies this season and has averaged 4.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 9.9 minutes after signing the first of consecutive 10-day contracts on February 21. He scored a season-high 13 points, including a career-high four 3-pointers, in a win on March 10 vs. Phoenix.
The Grizzlies signed the 27-year-old as a Call-Up from the NBA G League’s Motor City Cruise, where he played 29 games and averaged 17.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks in 34.1 minutes.
Unselected in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Penn State, Stevens has competed in 209 games (41 starts) and has averaged 5.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.6 minutes in five seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Grizzlies. He appeared in 19 games (two starts) for Memphis last season following a trade from Boston and averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 23.0 minutes.
The Memphis Grizzlies have signed forward Lamar Stevens to a second 10-day contract.
Stevens (6-6, 230), who signed his first 10-day contract with the Grizzlies on February 21 as a Call-Up from the NBA G League’s Motor City Cruise, recorded six points and four rebounds in 16 minutes in his season debut on March 1 vs. San Antonio. He started all 29 of his appearances with the Cruise this season and averaged 17.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks in 34.1 minutes.
Unselected in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Penn State, the 27-year-old has competed in 204 games (41 starts) and has averaged 5.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.7 minutes in five seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Grizzlies.
The Memphis Grizzlies have signed forward Lamar Stevens to a 10-day contract, as a “Call-Up” from the NBA G League’s Motor City Cruise.
In a related move, the Grizzlies waived guard Johnny Davis.
Stevens (6-6, 230) has competed in 203 games (41 starts) and has averaged 5.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.7 minutes over four seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Grizzlies since going unselected in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Penn State. He averaged 11.5 points in 23.0 minutes in 19 appearances (two starts) with Memphis last season.
The 27-year-old, who attended 2024 training camp with the Detroit Pistons, has started all 29 of his Showcase Cup and regular season games for the Cruise this season and has averaged 17.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks in 34.1 minutes.
Davis (6-5, 195) has appeared in 112 games (11 starts) and has averaged 3.5 points and 1.6 rebounds in 11.4 minutes in three seasons with the Washington Wizards. The 22-year-old was traded by Washington to Memphis on Feb. 6.
The Memphis Grizzlies today announced that FedEx has committed to continuing its long-term partnership with the franchise.
“We are proud to continue our longstanding and successful partnership with FedEx,” Grizzlies President Jason Wexler said. “It gives us tremendous satisfaction to have a partner equally committed to bolstering the Memphis community.”
The Grizzlies and FedEx partnered on Day One following the franchise’s arrival in Memphis in 2001. FedEx signed a naming rights deal in 2002 for FedExForum, which opened in 2004 as the premier arena in the Mid-South.
The NBA announced that Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for games played during October and November.
Wells (6-6 ½, 206), selected with the 39th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, started 15 of his 20 appearances and averaged 12.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 25.3 minutes while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from 3-point range to help guide the Grizzlies to a 13-7 record (third in the West) through the end of November.
The 21-year-old led West rookies in both scoring average and starts and ranked second among all qualified rookies in field goal percentage and 3-point percentage. He placed fourth in minutes per game.
Wells scored in double figures 12 times, leading West rookies, and scored at least 20 points twice: 20 points in Memphis’ Nov. 6 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers; and a career-high 26 points in the Grizzlies’ Nov. 23 road victory over the Chicago Bulls, in which he became the first rookie in franchise history to record at least six 3-pointers and at least six assists in the same game.
The Sacramento native, who was named the California Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year as a sophomore at Division II Sonoma State before playing his junior year at Washington State, is the first Grizzlies player to earn Rookie of the Month honors since Ja Morant during the 2019-20 season.
Jared McCain of the Philadelphia 76ers was the recipient of the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award.
The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the following medical update for Ja Morant:
While attempting to catch a lob during the third quarter of the November 6 game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Morant was destabilized midair by a Lakers player, causing him to fall into extreme right hip flexion. Imaging revealed a posterior hip subluxation (without dislocation) along with multiple associated Grade 1 pelvic muscle strains.
Morant is considered week-to-week, and updates will be provided as appropriate.
The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the following medical updates for Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, Cam Spencer and Vince Williams Jr.:
Bane has been diagnosed with a right oblique strain and is considered week-to-week. He suffered the injury in the third quarter of the Grizzlies’ game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 30.
Smart has been diagnosed with a right ankle sprain and also is considered week-to-week. He sustained the injury in the first quarter of the same Grizzlies’ game against the Nets.
Spencer continues to progress in connection with rehabilitation for his right ankle sprain and a concurrently suffered talar stress reaction. He will be re-evaluated in approximately three weeks.
Williams Jr. continues to progress in his rehabilitation from a stress reaction in the upper portion of his left tibia. He is expected to return to play within two-to-four weeks.