Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will miss the remainder of the 2025/26 season after undergoing surgery Thursday to correct a misalignment in his right pinky finger, the Memphis Grizzlies announced.
The move was expected after the team revealed a day earlier that he would need the procedure, and Memphis said he is expected to make a full recovery before next season.
Acquired from Orlando last summer in the Desmond Bane trade, Caldwell-Pope appeared in 51 games this season, averaging 8.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per night while shooting .410/.316/.913.
The 33-year-old has long been known as a reliable three-and-D role player, winning championships with the Lakers in 2020 and the Nuggets in 2023.
However, his production, especially from three-point range, has declined, as he has shot 33.3% from deep since 2024/25 after converting 38.9% across the previous seven seasons.
He holds a $21.6MM player option for the 2026/27 season that he is widely expected to exercise.
Memphis, already heavily impacted by injuries, is expected to have just nine active players available for Friday’s game at Utah.
Ja Morant, Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Cedric Coward, Ty Jerome, and Scotty Pippen Jr. are also sidelined, while rookie Walter Clayton is doubtful.
Head coach Tuomas Iisalo said Wednesday that Aldama’s knee issue remains uncertain after he missed eight of the team’s last nine games before the All-Star break.
“We want to get it to a baseline,” Iisalo said. “We spent those few games trying to go a little bit back and forth and it flared up every time.”
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Finger Surgery) Out For Season https://t.co/EegpasWi10
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 20, 2026
