The Memphis Grizzlies will face the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, February 11, with both teams managing significant injury concerns.
Memphis will be without Ja Morant (left elbow UCL sprain) and Santi Aldama (right knee), while Brandon Clarke (right calf) and Zach Edey (left ankle) remain out. Walter Clayton Jr. and Cedric Coward are listed as doubtful, leaving the Grizzlies thin in both backcourt and frontcourt rotations.
Denver enters the matchup with a partially healthy roster. Nikola Jokic (left ankle sprain) and Jamal Murray (left hip inflammation) are probable but could see limited minutes. Aaron Gordon (right hamstring) and Tamar Bates (left foot surgery) are sidelined, while Christian Braun is probable, and Spencer Jones is questionable after entering concussion protocol. Curtis Jones is out on a two-way assignment.
The Grizzlies are struggling with depth, particularly without Morant, who leads Memphis with 19.5 points and 8.1 assists per game. Aldama contributes 14 points and 6.7 rebounds, but his absence leaves the frontcourt vulnerable against Denver’s size. Cedric Coward averages 13.3 points and 6.2 rebounds and could see increased responsibility if he plays.
Denver’s probable starters Jokic and Murray remain central to the team’s success. Jokic leads the Nuggets with 28.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game, while Murray contributes 25.8 points and 7.6 assists.
Memphis has lost three straight games, including a 113-114 defeat to the Golden State Warriors on February 9. Denver is coming off a narrow 117-119 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, snapping a prior win over Chicago. In their previous meeting this season, the Nuggets defeated Memphis 125-115 at home.
Both teams face pressure to win as Memphis seeks to climb out of the Western Conference basement at 20-32, while Denver holds a 34-20 record in fourth place.
