Scotty Pippen Jr.’s unexpected setback leaves Memphis Grizzlies’ backcourt in trouble | NBA News
Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. will undergo surgery for an issue with his left big toe that will keep him out of the season. The once promising backcourt of the Memphis Grizzlies turned suddenly thin and inconsistent because of it. The 24-year-old guard will require surgery after suffering some soreness in his left big toe. Once Pippen goes through a sesamoidectomy, the Grizzlies announced on Saturday that they will plan for a return date. Pippen is expected to recover completely.
Scotty Pippen Jr.’s prolonged absence leaves Memphis Grizzlies’ backcourt navigating uncharted challenges
The Memphis Grizzlies announced Saturday guard Scotty Pippen Jr. will miss the season opener due to surgery on his left big toe. ESPN said Pippen will be re-assessed in 12 weeks, though the team placed no timeline on him returning to the court.Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday announced guard Scotty Pippen Jr. will miss the season opener following surgery on his left big toe. ESPN reported Pippen is to be reevaluated in 12 weeks, but the team didn’t give a timeframe for returning him to the court.This is his fourth year in the NBA at age 24. He has played in 106 games in his career, making 48.1% from the floor and averaging 10.0 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per contest. After a draft pass out of Vanderbilt, he has spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Grizzlies.With the situation being as it is, Scotty Pippen Jr.’s comeback to play for the Memphis Grizzlies is something that is not going to happen anytime soon. The Grizzlies stated that Pippen should make a complete recovery and will have a sesamoidectomy to address what they termed “ongoing discomfort.”According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, he is anticipated to miss a minimum of 12 weeks following the procedure. He wrote on X:“Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. will undergo a procedure for a left big toe injury and will be re-evaluated in 12 weeks, sources tell ESPN.”In addition to helping the team with his playing time, Pippen Jr. also enables the coach to make greater use of his team, which is something the Grizzlies will need to be concerned about.The Grizzlies’ head coach, Tuomas Iisalo, will find it difficult to give Ja Morant a break night in and night out now that he is sidelined. Especially considering that the franchise has not yet approved Ty Jerome’s statusThe Memphis Grizzlies are undoubtedly in a difficult situation with both Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ja Morant out. Pippen Jr.’s return date may take longer than the anticipated 12 weeks, even if Morant is anticipated to return soon. Thus, this will present an opportunity for Cam Spencer and Javon Small to demonstrate their value.
Rising Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. poised to impress after breakout season
Chicago Bulls legend and Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen’s son, Pippen went undrafted out of Vanderbilt in 2022 and appeared in six games during his first year as a rookie playing for the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-way contract.He started his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He played with the Grizzlies last season and the one before that. He has averaged 10 points and 4.2 assists in his 100 games playing with Memphis.The six-foot-one point guard showed his worth as a starting performer down the line by playing 21 games starting and appearing in a career-best 79 games for Memphis in the previous season. He posted field goal and three-point shooting percentages of 48 percent and 38.7 percent, respectively, over that span, scoring 9.9 points, posting 4.3 assists, and grabbing 3.3 rebounds.The Grizzlies organization will undoubtedly miss Scotty Pippen Jr. ‘s output, particularly now that Ja Morant has recently recovered from an injury.Also read: Scotty Pippen Jr. claims to steal the spotlight in the 2025-26 NBA Season
