Jaren Jackson Jr. Expected to Make Preseason Debut vs. Hornets

Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. is expected to play his first preseason minutes October 15 against the Charlotte Hornets, per Grind City Media’s Michael Wallace. Jackson has been ramping up after July surgery to repair a turf toe injury in his right foot.

“He’s weeks ahead of schedule right now and that’s a testament to great work and his drive and his determination after having signed a significant contract this summer to have that drive to come back here in the preseason to help the team,” Iisalo said in a pregame press conference.

The Grizzlies have held Jackson out of earlier preseason contests while he progressed through rehab. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo said this week that both Jackson and Ja Morant were “progressing very well” and doing “significantly more” than a week ago. Morant is currently dealing with a sprained ankle and is considered week-to-week.

What It Means for Memphis

Assuming Jackson’s status doesn’t change ahead of tipoff, Memphis gets immediate help at both ends. The team has been without multiple starters this preseason (including Jackson and Morant). Jackson is a former Defensive Player of the Year and has shown an ability to be a bigger part of the offense when the Grizzlies call on him. The past two seasons, The 26-year-old center/power forward averaged a shade over 22 points per game, while maintaining his fearsome presence as one of the best interior defenders in the NBA. 

Jackson underwent turf toe surgery on July 2. The Grizzlies announced on September 26 that the two-time All-Star would be 4-to-6 weeks away from returning to the court, putting him anywhere from an October 24 to November 7th timeline. That range meant Jackson could have missed about a month of the season, and likely dealt with ramp-up time to return to the court. 

Now, he’s ready to help the Grizzlies gel under the first full year for Toumas Iisalo. Jackson’s return gives Iisalo a chance to evaluate new frontcourt pairings before the regular season begins. Memphis has experimented with smaller lineups during his absence, but Jackson’s rim protection and floor spacing will likely anchor their defensive identity once again.

In June, the Grizzlies signed Jackson to a five-year, $240 million extension. Having one of their most prized assets back on the court will be a boon for the Grizzlies as they look to get off to a fast start this season. 

What’s Next

Jackson and the Grizzlies will have a contest against the Hornets and a final preseason tune-up on October 17 against the Heat to get right before the regular season begins. 

Jackson will need the time to get acclimated to a few new faces in Memphis. The Grizzlies made a splashy move, shipping out Desmond Bane and bringing in NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Grizzlies also signed Ty Jerome in free agency, a summer after he showed some brilliant flashes with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Grizzlies also brought in Cedric Coward, a forward out of Washington State, in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, so there will be plenty of new faces trying to help the Grizzlies regain their form 2022-23 when they finished second in the Western Conference with a 51-31 record. 

The Grizzlies open up the regular season with a home contest against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 22. 

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