It has been nearly 15 years since Kentucky, Michigan State, Duke and Kansas first played in the Champions Classic. What if one of college basketball's marquee programs suddenly began to struggle? It will be No. 17 Michigan State against No. 12 Kentucky in the opener and No. 5 Duke against No. 24 Kansas in the nightcap in New York.
No. 13 Gonzaga’s 122-50 win over Southern Utah marks second-largest victory in program history
IOWA STATE 96, STONEHILL 57 AMES, Iowa (AP) — Joshua Jefferson and Tamin Lipsey scored 23 points apiece and Iowa State pulled away late in the first half of a win over Stonehill. Jefferson added nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals in a terrific all-around performance that helped the Cyclones (4-0) to another lopsided victory. Their average winning margin is 33.3 points per game.
Huff scores 22, Fogle has 19 as No. 13 Gonzaga beats Southern Utah 122-50
Braden Huff scored 22 points on 11-for-13 shooting and Davis Fogle had a career-high 19 points as No. 13 Gonzaga beat Southern Utah 122-50 on Monday night. Mario Saint-Supery added 16 points, seven assists and six steals in his first career start for the Bulldogs (5-0), who secured the second-largest scoring output and margin of victory in program history. Graham Ike and Adam Miller had 13 points apiece for Gonzaga.
No. 20 Tennessee beats Rice 91-66, but Estrella injured
Felix Okpara had 20 points and eight rebounds, Nate Ament added 19 points and 10 boards, and No. Tennessee cruised to a 91-66 victory over Rice on Monday night despite an injury to forward J.P. Estrella. The 6-foot-11 redshirt sophomore went down in a scrum of bodies in the first half and appeared to hurt his left knee.
Knicks still searching for first road win following 115-113 loss to Heat
The Knicks lost to the Miami Heat, 115-113, on Monday night despite an exciting comeback late in the fourth quarter and are still in search of their first road win this season.
Here are the key takeaways...
-- Without starters OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson, New York went with a starting five of Landry Shamet, Miles McBride, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. That unit struggled to get things going offensively from the jump as the Knicks managed to score just 20 points in the opening quarter.
In fact, only McBride, Bridges and Josh Hart were able to hit a shot in the first 12 minutes in which New York shot 3-for-9 from deep and 7-for-21 overall. But thanks to an equally poor offensive showing from Miami (25 points on 9-for-25 from the field), the Knicks trailed the Heat by only five points heading to the second quarter.
-- New York changed its tune in the first few minutes of the second quarter and took the lead on a 7-0 run with Jordan Clarkson and Shamet getting in on the action. Things went back and forth from there as both teams exchanged buckets which lead to multiple ties and lead changes.
The Knicks' last lead in the quarter came on Hart's two-pointer with 2:33 left in the half that gave his team a 46-44 advantage. From there, the Heat went on an 11-5 run, including Davion Mitchell's 25-foot three-pointer with less than 10 seconds remaining, to enter halftime with a four-point lead.
-- Out of the break, Towns took over offensively for New York, which needed someone to step up without two of its starters. Towns scored eight of the team's first 10 points of the second half, making his presence felt underneath the rim. Along with Towns were Robinson, Bridges and Hart, who all scored their points inside the paint.
-- Amazingly, the Knicks scored 31 points in the third quarter without making a single three-pointer after they finished the quarter 0-for-5 from deep. As for Miami, it went 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, but the team missed multiple mid-range shots to allow New York to climb back with its patient but effective offensive approach.
-- Down one headed to the fourth quarter, the Knicks took multiple leads in the first few minutes. They even hit a three-pointer when McBride drilled a deep one to untie the game with 10:44 left in the game. It would be the only triple made by either team for nearly eight minutes as both offenses leaned on attacking the rim.
-- During that time, the Heat went on a 14-3 run to take the lead and separate themselves by 10 points with 3:10 to play. However, McBride would hit two threes to cut Miami's lead to four points and after Towns drilled two free throws with 1:10 left the Knicks were down by just two points.
After a Norman Powell two-pointer upped the Heat's lead back to four, Towns buried one from deep to make it a one-point game with 22.4 seconds left. New York immediately fouled on Miami's next possession and had a chance to tie or take the lead on its next possession after Mitchell made one of two free throws.
-- It appeared as though the Knicks did tie it after Kel'el Ware was called for goaltending on Towns' two-point shot with 13.2 seconds remaining, but after a ref-initiated review the goaltending call was overturned. New York had another chance to tie it or win the game, but McBride missed a shot from four feet out and the game was over.
-- McBride finished with a game-high 25 points on 10-for-23 shooting (5-for-12 from deep), but came up short on the biggest shot of the night.
-- The Knicks are now 0-4 away from MSG this season.
Game MVP: Kel'el Ware
Not only did his controversial block (one of three on the night) at the end serve as the game-winning play, he also had a double-double (16 points, 14 rebounds).
Highlights
Deuce getting it going early pic.twitter.com/VEg5TGZiCr
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 18, 2025
Clarkson finds Mikal pic.twitter.com/Y3byVMIPSv
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 18, 2025
Mikal with the steal and the slam! pic.twitter.com/9Ek0lFqGRM
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 18, 2025
What's next
The Knicks continue their road trip with a bout against the Mavericks in Dallas on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m.
Jefferson and Lipsey lead No. 16 Iowa State to 96-57 win over Stonehill
Joshua Jefferson and Tamin Lipsey scored 23 points apiece and No. 16 Iowa State pulled away late in the first half of a 96-57 win over Stonehill on Monday night. Jefferson added nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals in a terrific all-around performance that helped the Cyclones (4-0) to another lopsided victory. Iowa State missed all seven of its 3-point attempts in the first half but went 5 of 8 to start the second and put away the game.
No. 23 Wisconsin stays unbeaten with 94-69 rout of SIU Edwardsville
John Blackwell scored 24 points, Nick Boyd added 22 and No. 23 Wisconsin closed a four-game, season-opening homestand by defeating SIU Edwardsville 94-69 on Monday night. Wisconsin has scored at least 85 points in each of its first four games for the first time since the 1975-76 season. Wisconsin plays its next three games away from Kohl Center as its schedule gets tougher.
Williams and Holloman lead No. 25 NC State past VCU 85-79 in return to Top 25
Darrion Williams scored 28 points, Tre Holloman added 25 and No. North Carolina State marked its first appearance in the national rankings this season by beating VCU 85-79 on Monday night. Matt Able had 12 points off the bench and Ven-Allen Lubin provided 11 points and nine rebounds for the Wolfpack (4-0), who overcame 17 turnovers.
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo leaves Monday's game with groin injury, won't return
Milwaukee Bucks' All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo injured his groin just three minutes before halftime in the Milwaukee Bucks' game on Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The nine-time All-Star appeared to tweak something earlier in the game but had played through it. Then, with 3:16 left in the second half, he attempted a layup through contact and missed. As soon as he landed, he winced in pain but was able to get down the court to commit a foul on defense. He immediately walked off the court and into the locker room and was later ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo started grabbing at his groin as soon as he went down on that last attempt at the rim.
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) November 18, 2025
He hobbled down the floor, committed a quick foul and immediately walked off the floor and into the locker room.
It's too early to have any firm timeline on how long Antetokounmpo could be out, but the way that he was unable to run and the quickness with which he left the court and headed to the locker room are not positive signs. Even groin injuries that don't appear significant at first, like the one suffered by Magic forward Paolo Banchero last week, can lead to at least a week's absence. Teams also tend to be more cautious with stars like Antetokounmpo, especially this early in the season, as we saw with the Spurs deciding to hold Victor Wembanyama out for 2-3 weeks with a calf strain.
Antetokounmpo was in the middle of another solid performance on Monday, posting 14 points, five rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 13 minutes on 6-10 shooting from the field. On the season, the 30-year-old is 2nd in the NBA in points per game with 32.6, while also averaging 11.3 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks for the Bucks.
Milwaukee started the second half with Jericho Sims in the lineup for Antetokounmpo. That was the first time Sims had entered the game on Monday, and the 27-year-old came into the game averaging 1.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 6.8 minutes per game on the season. If Antetokounmpo were to miss an extended period of time, it remains to be seen how Milwaukee would try to plug the hole in their lineup, but his loss would be close to an insurmountable one.
Victor Wembanyama out with left calf strain, reportedly will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks
Victor Wembanyama missed his first game of the season on Sunday due to a sore calf, a condition the Spurs had been playing down (he was wearing a sleeve over his calf postgame, but no walking boot), and the team went out and earned a win over Sacramento without him. San Antonio will need more of that in the next couple of weeks.
An MRI determined that Wembanyama has a strained left calf and the team has listed him as out. Multiple reports have said he is expected to be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks.
Wembanyama has been a force this season on both ends of the court, playing at a level that gets him mentioned in the early MVP conversation. Wembanyama is averaging 26.2 points a game while shooting 34.5% from beyond the arc (but he has lowered his number of attempted 3s and is getting closer to the basket), plus grabbing 12.9 rebounds and dishing out four assists a night. His 3.6 blocked shots a night leads the league.
When Wembanyama is off the court, the Spurs' defense is 10.8 points per 100 possessions worse. Still, thanks to strong guard play, the Spurs still outscore teams by 1.5 per 100 without him.
Expect just returned De'Aaron Fox to have a couple of big weeks carrying the San Antonio offense, he had 28 points and 11 assists on Sunday. Luke Kornet will move into the starting center slot (he had a solid game against the Kings Sunday with 13 points and 11 boards), and veteran big man Kelly Olynyk also should see more run off the bench.
Wembanyama joins No. 2 pick Dylan Harper in street clothes for the Spurs due to a calf strain. In the wake of what happened with Tyrese Haliburton in the Finals last season — when he tried to play through a sore calf and tore his Achilles — and similar injuries, teams are being far more cautious this season with calf strains.
LeBron James practices with Lakers, has yet to decide if he will return to court Tuesday vs. Jazz
LeBron James went through his first full practice with the Lakers, coming off a couple of practices with the franchise's G-League team, but his status for the Lakers' game Tuesday against the Utah Jazz remains "TBD," as Lakers coach J.J. Redick put it.
"Just trying to get back to where I feel like myself again," LeBron said after practice, via the Associated Press. "Got to see how the body responds over the next 24 hours-plus."
The Lakers have the front end of a home-and-home with the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. After that, the Lakers are off until Sunday, when they face the Jazz in Salt Lake City, before returning home to face the Clippers in a critical West Group B NBA Cup game, which you can watch on Nov. 25 on NBC and Peacock.
LeBron said he's feeling good.
"My lungs feel like a newborn baby," LeBron said. "That's the most important thing: I've got to get my lungs back up to a grown man. My voice is already gone (from) one day back barking out calls and assignments and stuff. Got to get my voice working again. Be a lot of tea and rest tonight. Feels good to be out here with the guys. Missed them."
LeBron missed all of training camp as well as the first 14 games of the season due to sciatica on his right side. This started back in August, and from the first days, the plan has been for him to take his time and return to the court in mid-November. This week fits that timeline.
Whenever he does set foot on an NBA court this season, LeBron will set a record as the first player ever to reach 23 seasons in the league. Even without LeBron, the Lakers are 10-4 to start the season, led by a top-10 offense sparked by Luka Doncic playing at an MVP level.
LeBron James knows there will be a 'feel-out' process when he returns to Lakers
LeBron James said his lungs felt like those of a “newborn baby” and his voice was “already gone” after his first Lakers practice Monday as he moved a step closer toward making his season debut after being sidelined by sciatica.
The Lakers listed James as questionable for Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena, and he sounded as if he was close to playing in his NBA-record 23rd season.
"We got a long time,” said James as he wiped sweat from his face while speaking to reporters. “I mean, we've been taking literally one minute, one hour, one step at a time throughout this whole process. So, see how I feel this afternoon, see how I feel tonight. When I wake up in the morning. ... We'll probably have [a] shootaround [Tuesday]. So, just gotta see how the body responds over the next 24 hours-plus."
LeBron James on how he’s feeling: “My lungs feel like a newborn baby.”
— Thuc Nhi Nguyen (@thucnhi21) November 17, 2025
Says he’s trying to get his conditioning back up and his voice is already shot from yelling at practice, but he was happy to be back. pic.twitter.com/rl6WMAuYmw
James, who will turn 41 next month, was asked how long it took him to become pain-free.
“I wouldn’t take it that far,” James said. “Like I said, if you ever had it, you go about it and you wake up one day and you hope that when you step down from the bed that you don’t feel it. You go to bed at night, and you hope that when you’re in the bed that you don’t feel it. So I’ve been doing pretty good with it as of late. There’s a lot of exercises and a lot of mobility things and a lot of things you can do to help it. So I’m just keeping a positive mindset.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick said it was like having a new player in practice with James on the court.
Read more:Plaschke: LeBron James is 'maybe' retiring? This is going to be fun
James agreed, saying, “Definitely feels new, for sure.”
The Lakers have four days off after Tuesday's game against Utah — including three practice days — before playing the Jazz in Salt Lake City on Sunday.
"One day back, barking out calls and assignments and stuff, getting my voice working again," said James about his first day at practice. "Be a lot of tea and rest tonight."
James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer (42,184 points), admitted he had to mentally adjust to missing the start of a season for the first time in his career.
"It sucks. It definitely sucks,” James said. “Never in my life since I started playing the game of basketball have I ever not started the season — in my life. It's been a mind test, but I'm built for it and it's been putting in the work, both mentally and physically trying to get myself ready to rejoin the team.
"It's just been kind of the same revolving door. Just repetition, repetition, repetition; rehabbing, rehabbing, rehabbing. Just trying to get back where I can feel like myself again. It's great to be out here today."
He's back.
— Thuc Nhi Nguyen (@thucnhi21) November 17, 2025
LeBron James getting up shots at the end of Lakers practice. pic.twitter.com/lOdu78y8x4
James said this wasn’t the first time in his career that he had sciatica.
“I had it two years ago,” he said. “You had it, then you know what the hell it’s about. If you ain’t never had it and people are making jokes about it, I pray you never get it. It’s not fun.”
James practiced with the Lakers’ G League team, the South Bay Lakers, twice last week, getting in some five-on-five work.
"It was great,” James said. “I got cleared to play some five-on-five for the first time since ... hurting my MCL versus Minnesota. And that was the blessing."
The Lakers have gone 10-4 without James. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have led the way as one of the most potent two-way tandems in the early part of the NBA season.
Read more:‘I don’t know’: Lakers’ LeBron James unsure when it comes to future
Doncic leads the NBA in scoring (34.4 points per game) and Reaves is ninth (28.3). Doncic is fifth in assists (8.9) and Reaves is seventh (8.2).
James, who is 50 games away from breaking Robert Parish’s all-time record of most games played in NBA history (1,611), knows he'll have to adjust things when he returns.
“I have to work my way back into it,” James said. “The guys have been going on road trips, shootarounds, flights. So it’s kind of like a kid going to a new school again. Got to learn the guys and everything. So they got some great chemistry. Feeling my way back in and do it organically. It shouldn’t be hard. But it’s definitely a feel-out process.”
Etc.
Redick said all 14 players practiced for the first time this season and that Rui Hachimura (left call soreness) and Marcus Smart (viral illness) will be available to play against the Jazz after sitting out against Milwaukee on Saturday.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Victor Wembanyama Calf Strain: Spurs' outlook and fantasy impact
San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama missed the team's most recent game with a left calf injury, and he will reportedly miss additional time. On Monday, the team announced that the 7-foot-4 center has been diagnosed with a left calf strain and is expected to be re-evaluated in two to three weeks.
To say that this is a critical blow to the Spurs and to fantasy basketball teams would be an understatement. From a value standpoint, only Denver's Nikola Jokić has been better thus far, with Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander next in line. Where will the Spurs turn to fill the resulting void? And where else can fantasy managers look for reliable value? Let's look at the impact of Wembanyama's absence on fantasy basketball.
Who will replace Wembanyama in the starting lineup?
The answer to this question is straightforward: Luke Kornet (nine percent rostered, Yahoo!). Signed as a free agent this past summer, the 7-foot-2 center started Sunday's win over the Kings and finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, one assist and three blocked shots. Kornet won't provide the three-point or assist value that Wemby brings to the table, but he's worth a look for managers needing a high field-goal percentage, rebounds and blocked shots.
Kelly Olynyk (one percent) played 18 minutes off the bench on Sunday but is only worth a look in the off chance the Spurs were to lose Kornet. Bismack Biyombo (less than one percent) is a non-starter in fantasy; he played the final two minutes of Sunday's game due to the result no longer in question.
Who else will Wembanyama’s absence impact?
The entire Spurs rotation will be impacted, albeit to varying degrees. De'Aaron Fox, who made his season debut on November 8 after missing the start of the season with a hamstring injury, is the player who may see his fantasy value increase the most. Over his last two games, Fox has totaled 52 points and 21 assists, shooting 21-of-42 from the field. In his first three appearances, the point guard attempted 14 shots in each.
The key for fantasy managers who have Fox rostered is that his efficiency remains the same as it has been in the last two games. After totaling 10 assists and 12 turnovers in the two games prior, he only committed six turnovers in the next two.
The efficiency is also key for Stephon Castle, who began the season as the starting point guard and continued to serve as a primary playmaker once Fox was cleared to play. However, the reigning Rookie of the Year exited Sunday's game before halftime with a hip injury and did not return. As long as he isn't out for an extended period, Castle (70 percent) stands to receive a bump to his fantasy value with Wembanyama out.
2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Top 200 Rankings: Wemby injured, Jalen Johnson providing value in Atlanta
The Hawks forward has exceeded the expectations of many fantasy managers this season, especially after Trae Young went down.
Raphielle JohnsonSuppose Castle were to join Wembanyama on the sideline for an extended period. In that case, Julian Champagnie (three percent) is the most likely replacement, as he filled the resulting void to begin the second half on Sunday. Also, he started the season as a starter due to Fox's absence, averaging 10.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.0 three-pointers in that role.
Devin Vassell, who has started all 14 games for the Spurs, is another player who could have the ball in his hands a bit more while the team looks to compensate for Wembanyama's absence. He dished out seven assists in Sunday's victory, but the wing's start to the season has been underwhelming from a fantasy standpoint. Injuries are never good, but Vassell's role becoming more critical could serve as a catalyst for him.
Observations after George returns, Maxey scores 39 in Sixers' comeback win
Observations after George returns, Maxey scores 39 in Sixers' comeback win originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Led by Tyrese Maxey’s 39 points, the Sixers battled back to snag a nervy win Monday night over the Clippers.
In Paul George’s season debut, the Sixers earned a 110-108 victory at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
James Harden had two cracks at a go-ahead three-pointer on the game’s final possession, but he missed both.
George had nine points on 2-for-9 shooting, seven rebounds and three assists in his return from offseason arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Quentin Grimes scored 19 points. Andre Drummond posted 14 points and 18 rebounds.
Harden tallied 28 points. Ivica Zubac had a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double.
The Sixers were down Joel Embiid (right knee injury management), Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee LCL injury) and Adem Bona (right ankle sprain).
The Clippers were missing four players, including Kawhi Leonard (right ankle sprain) and Bradley Beal (left hip fracture).
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said pregame that Embiid remains day to day and he doesn’t think the star big man is far away from returning, although Embiid is “not quite pain-free,” According to Nurse, Oubre had a meeting with doctors set for Monday night.
The 8-5 Sixers will face the Raptors on Wednesday night in Philadelphia. Here are observations on their win over the Clippers:
George’s 1st action
George scored the first hoop of the game, sinking a catch-and-shoot three-pointer on the right wing off of a Maxey feed. He then drew a foul on a jumper beyond the arc and made 2 of 3 free throws to give the Sixers a 5-0 lead.
The Clippers followed with a 14-0 run. After George missed a jumper, Harden walked into a pull-up three and Nurse called timeout.
The Sixers’ offense was cold in the early going. Maxey started 0 for 3 from the floor and the Sixers began 2 for 11 as a team. George subbed out with 6:21 to go in the first quarter and the Sixers trailing by nine points.
Nurse had expressed the reasonable hope that George would improve the Sixers’ defense right away. He certainly did not make an immediate positive impact. The Sixers had a poor start in transition and Los Angeles scored the night’s first nine fast-break points.
George finished with 21 minutes and seemed to have no trouble with conditioning. His movement appeared fine and George looked to be unbothered by contact, although the 35-year-old forward didn’t have many forceful moments as a driver. He and the Sixers will expect better nights ahead in his 16th NBA season.
Harden starts hot, Sixers adjust
In addition to George, the Sixers started Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Dominick Barlow and Drummond.
They used five men off the bench, including Jabari Walker in backup center minutes. Jared McCain checked in to open the second quarter alongside George.
Justin Edwards guarded Harden late in the first and had a tough time. Harden crossed over Edwards and waltzed in for an easy layup that extended the Clippers’ lead to 33-20. He racked up 17 points in the first quarter.
Edwards and the Sixers effectively contained Harden in the second quarter. They shaded help more strongly toward the 11-time All-Star when he surveyed the defense from the top of the floor. The Sixers also hedged pick-and-rolls and sent the occasional double team.
Still, with their offense light on any sustained success, the Sixers entered halftime down double digits. Brook Lopez’s long-range jumper with 2.3 seconds left in the second quarter put the Clippers up 56-46.
Sixers capitalize on Clippers’ fatigue
For the second straight game, Nurse tweaked his starting lineup to begin the third quarter. Grimes replaced Barlow. When Barlow subbed in, he took over as the Sixers’ backup center.
The team’s new lineup put together a promising stretch. George sealed a stop with a block on John Collins and the Sixers scored on their ensuing possession with a Grimes three. Maxey knocked down a mid-range jumper to cut the Clippers’ lead to 64-61.
The Sixers were unable to maintain momentum in the third quarter. Harden’s and-one layup with 1.1 seconds remaining in the third built L.A.’s advantage to 83-73.
Eventually, the Sixers made the Clippers look like a fatigued team playing the second game of a back-to-back on the road.
Harden’s jumpers kept coming up short and he couldn’t create much against Grimes, who defended him very well. Maxey spearheaded a Sixers run. He nailed a three off of beautiful ball movement, converted an and-one bucket and knifed through the defense for a layup that gave the Sixers a 95-94 edge.
Once the Sixers grabbed the lead, the Clippers’ chances seemed slim. Edgecombe, Maxey and Grimes all drained clutch threes.
The Sixers couldn’t cement a win in convincing fashion. With his team up four points, Edgecombe missed a pair of free throws. And with the Clippers down two and pressuring the Sixers in the backcourt, Maxey turned the ball over.
The initial call on the floor was a foul, but Los Angeles won its challenge and got the ball with 11.7 seconds left. Harden’s misses meant the Sixers avoided what would have been a stinging loss.
Grizzlies' guard Ja Morant will miss two weeks with a strained calf
The Memphis Grizzlies announced Monday that All-Star point guard Ja Morant will be sidelined for the next two weeks with a Grade 1 calf strain.
Morant suffered the injury in the first quarter of Saturday night's road game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had scored seven points in six minutes before being subbed out of the game at the 6:01 mark with Memphis up 18-14 and not re-entering. The team will re-evaluate him in two weeks to determine how quickly he can return to the court.
Grizzlies say star guard Ja Morant will be re-evaluated in two weeks due to a Grade 1 right calf strain.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 17, 2025
The injury is another roadblock in what has been a tough start to the season for Morant and the Grizzlies.
Memphis is sitting at 4-10 on the season and has been without forward Brandon Clarke, guard Ty Jerome, guard Scotty Pippen Jr., and center Zach Edey for the entirety of the season up until this weekend. Edey returned for the first time this season in that same Cavaliers game in which Morant got hurt. Morant himself also missed one game with an ankle injury and was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the teamafter a loss to the Lakers on Halloween.
On one hand, this injury is another misstep in a season that is seeing the two-time All-Star post career lows in field goal percentage (35.9%), three-point shooting percentage (16.7%), effective field goal rate (38.5%), three-pointers made per game (0.8), and rebounds (3.0). He's also posting the lowest scoring mark since his rookie season at just 17.9 points per game.
However, on the other hand, this continues a concerning injury track record for the 26-year-old. He has never played 70 games or more in any of his six NBA seasons coming into this year. Last year, he was limited to 50 games, and the year before that, he played in just nine, in part due to a suspension for gun-related gestures and off-field behavior.
Despite Memphis insisting that they have no interest in trading Morant, the suspension and mounting injuries may force it to behave otherwise. Of course, a mounting injury toll for a player in the third year of a five-year, $197.2 million contract also could dampen any value on the trade market.
For now, the Grizzlies will move forward without Morant for the next two weeks. That should mean additional playing time for Vince Williams Jr., who started for Morant when he was forced to sit last week against the Celtics with an ankle injury. Williams had 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists in that game, and the 25-year-old is averaging 8.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 39.7% from the field in 19.3 minutes per game this season. We should also see a minutes increase for Cam Spencer off the bench and perhaps more of a scoring burden placed on starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and starting small forward Cedric Coward, who has been a lone bright spot for the Grizzlies in his rookie season.
We'll get out first look at how the Grizzlies approach these next two weeks without Morant when they face off against the Spurs on Tuesday at 8 pm ET on NBC and Peacock.