Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. will undergo a procedure on his left big toe and be re-evaluated in 12 weeks, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. That timeline places the earliest check-in around mid-January 2026, sidelining Pippen well into the regular season.
What Scotty Pippen Jr. Provided Last Season
Pippen carved out real rotation value for Memphis in 2024–25, averaging 9.9 points, 4.4 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 21.3 minutes while shooting 48.0% from the field and 39.7% from 3. He also logged meaningful minutes in April and posted 18.3 points per game during the Grizzlies’ first-round series against Oklahoma City. Those on-ball reps – plus a steady pick-and-roll game and improved spot-up accuracy – had positioned him as a reliable secondary creator entering camp.
The toe issue first surfaced during the preseason; Pippen missed the final exhibitions and was ruled out. The Grizzlies then moved forward with the procedure plan outlined.
How Memphis Manages More Injuries
Pippen’s absence adds to a crowded injury list the Grizzlies have been juggling through October:
- Ja Morant (left ankle sprain): Head coach Tuomas Iisalo said on October 17 that Morant is “progressing really well,” participated in shootaround, but sat the preseason finale; the hope is he’s ready for Opening Night (October 22).
- Brandon Clarke (knee): Announced September 26; arthroscopic procedure with a six-week re-evaluation timeline.
- Zach Edey (ankle surgery): Team said on September 26 he’s expected to miss 6–9 weeks, which can push into mid- to late-November depending on ramp-up.
- Ty Jerome (calf): Exited preseason game against Miami Heat on October 17.
Why it matters: Pippen was part of Memphis’ guard depth behind Morant and Ty Jerome – a ball-handler who kept the offense organized and could toggle between initiating and spacing. His 39.7% from three last year (on 2.8 attempts per game) fit well next to Morant’s rim pressure, and his April surge hinted at a higher ceiling if injuries struck again. With Pippen out until at least the 12-week check, Iisalo will likely lean more on Javon Small and Cam Spencer for secondary guard minutes, and on Vince Williams Jr. and potentially Kentavious Caldwell-Pope lineups to handle more creation until everyone is back in rhythm.
The Grizzlies are coming off a 48–34 season that saw them return to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. The Thunder swept the Grizzlies, as injuries and perhaps a lack of cohesiveness after a coaching change hampered Memphis. Despite the setbacks, the team had some moments under then-interim head coach Iisalo and enters 2025–26 viewed as a dark-horse contender in the West — provided it can stay healthy. It will also be the first glimpse of the Grizzlies after they traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic this offseason.
The broader context is Memphis trying to stabilize health after a stop-start preseason. If Jackson clears minutes restrictions on schedule and Morant is active for the opener, that mitigates some of the blow, but Pippen’s timetable still trims flexibility in the guard room for the first third of the season. Memphis opens the regular season on October 22 against the New Orleans Pelicans with the expectation that update windows for Clarke and Edey will come in early to mid-November, and Pippen’s status won’t be reassessed until January 2026.
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