Injuries and DeJon Jarreau's debut lead to Memphis Grizzlies tying franchise record
The surprising results of the 2023-24 season haven't stopped the Memphis Grizzlies from setting records. Those achievements just look a little different now.
Recently signed Grizzlies wing DeJon Jarreau debuted Sunday during the team's 124-93 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, making him the 28th player to participate in a game with Memphis this season. That total ties a franchise record previously set during the 2015-16 and 2018-19 seasons.
The Grizzlies initially set the NBA record in 2016 when they signed Bryce Cotton. The 2018-19 total happened during Jaren Jackson Jr.'s rookie season.
Jackson is the lone holdover from the last time the Grizzlies went through major roster adjustments like this during one season. Now in his sixth season, Jackson has been the steadiest Grizzlies player based on availability. He leads the team by playing in 57 of the team's 65 games.
Injuries to Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart and Steven Adams altered the Grizzlies' season. Each of those four players were expected to join Jackson in the starting lineup. Adams underwent surgery in the preseason before eventually being traded, then Morant, Bane and Smart all suffered long-term injuries in January.
From Luke Kennard to Derrick Rose and several other Grizzlies role players, the injuries have gone far beyond the starting lineup. Memphis has dealt with so many injuries that it has signed seven players to 10-day contracts via injury hardship exceptions granted by the NBA.
Multiple trades, waiving center Kenneth Lofton Jr. and the shuffling of two-way contracts have also contributed to the 28 players. None of the initial players signed to two-way contracts are still under the same deal. GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr. both were promoted to standard contracts, and Jacob Gilyard was waived after playing 37 games.
Memphis still has a chance to break the record of 28 players. Based on the current timelines of injured players, the Grizzlies could opt to bring in another player on a 10-day deal if they don't want to bring Jarreau or Wenyen Gabriel — who is also playing on a 10-day — back.
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The most likely option would be Brandon Clarke. The talented big man has missed all of this season while recovering from an Achilles injury suffered in March 2023.
General manager Zach Kleiman has discussed the idea of Clarke returning this season to get some reps, but there is no current timetable for that to happen.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Grizzlies injuries lead to a franchise-tying record vs Thunder
