Ja Morant
January 2026
Iisalo said there is a good chance Morant plays against Orlando in London after practicing fully, while the team downplayed ongoing trade speculation and focused on results. Morant’s availability hinges on how his calf responds overnight, with Memphis aiming to stabilise after poor form; Orlando came in boosted by Franz Wagner’s return from a high ankle sprain and the lift of playing in Europe.
Jaren Jackson Jr (Memphis Grizzlies)
October 2025
Jackson returned to preseason action ahead of schedule after toe surgery, easing concerns about opening-night availability under new coach Tuomas Iisalo. Minutes now target conditioning and lineup reps. His two-way impact remains central as Memphis resets schemes in Iisalo’s first full year.
Taylor Jenkins (Memphis Grizzlies)
March 2025
The Grizzlies have fired head coach Taylor Jenkins, their all-time winningest coach, following internal concerns about losing the locker room and poor post-All-Star break performance.
Despite playoff position, Memphis made the move citing a need to stabilize ahead of a challenging schedule. Assistant Tuomas Iisalo takes over as interim head coach. The Grizzlies are 44-29 and tied with the Lakers in the West.
