Memphis Grizzlies injuries lead to franchise record during loss to Golden State Warriors
A boatload of injuries have led to the Memphis Grizzlies setting a franchise record. Recent 10-day signing Maozinha Pereria is the 29th player to participate in a game for Memphis this season.
Pereria, who was signed to a 10-day contract Wednesday, entered the fourth quarter of the Grizzlies’ 137-116 loss against the Golden State Warriors. He finished with two points in six minutes.
The record surpasses the total of 28 during the 2015-16 and 2018-19 Grizzlies seasons.
Injuries aren’t the only roster transactions that have led to 29 players suiting up. Bismack Biyombo was signed via suspension exemption granted through Ja Morant’s 25-game absence. GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr. were upgraded from two-way contracts to the 15-man roster, which led to other players being waived to create space.
However, injuries are the primary reason for the record. The Grizzlies have dealt with several long-term injuries that resulted in injury hardship exceptions for 10-day contracts. Jordan Nowell, Shaq Harrison, Tosan Evbuomwan, Wenyen Gabriel, DeJon Jarreau, Matthew Hurt, Jordan Goodwin and Trey Jemison were signed using the hardship exceptions. Goodwin and Jemison eventually were elevated to two-way contracts after the openings created by Williams and Jackson.
The Grizzlies (23-47) have played 70 games, but Jaren Jackson Jr. is the only player to have participated in at least 60 of those contests. Santi Aldama, John Konchar, Ziaire Williams and Vince Williams Jr. are the only others who have topped 50 games.
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Four of the biggest injuries came to players who were expected to be in the projected starting five. Morant is out for the season because of shoulder surgery; Desmond Bane missed 29 games because of a grade 3 sprained ankle; Marcus Smart has been out the past two months because of a hand injury, and Steven Adams had knee surgery shortly before the season. He was traded before the trade deadline.
This isn’t a record the Grizzlies may have envisioned breaking at the beginning of the season, but it puts into perspective the challenges the team has went through.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Grizzlies injuries set a painful franchise record in loss to Warriors
