Playing status of Edwards, Morant comes to light ahead of Timberwolves-Grizzlies

The Minnesota Timberwolves have won without Anthony Edwards in their last two games, while Ja Morant was on crutches Wednesday morning.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards love battling one another, but the good friends won't get a chance to clash in Wednesday night's contest. | Christine Tannous-Imagn Images

The Timberwolves have survived without star Anthony Edwards for the past couple of games, beating Golden State and Sacramento. They'll have to win without him again with Memphis in town, having ruled out their top scorer due to a lingering foot injury.

Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, having sprained his ankle late in Monday's win at the L.A. Clippers, was downgraded to doubtful after attending shootaround while on crutches. He'll also sit out this matchup.

The Wolves have won seven of their last eight since falling at OKC on Nov. 26, which means they’re in the best stretch of the young season. They'll get another crack at the defending champion Thunder on Friday night in a rematch of May’s Western Conference finals. 

Minnesota coach Chris Finch said Edwards didn’t actively participate in Tuesday’s practice, so it's not surprising that he'll sit out this first meeting of the season against the Grizzlies.. 

Memphis has won six of eight and can pull within one game of .500 for the first time since Nov. 2. Forward Brandon Clarke is expected to suit up and be available for the first time since suffering a knee injury last March. Second-year shooting guard Cam Spencer, as expected, is out due to personal reasons.

INJURY REPORT

GRIZZLIES

Ja Morant: Out - Left Ankle Sprain

Brandon Clarke: Questionable - Right Knee Surgery Recovery

Cam Spencer: Out - Personal Reasons

Zach Edey: Out - Left Ankle Stress Reaction

Ty Jerome: Out - Right Calf Strain

John Konchar: Out - Left Thumb UCL Tear

Olivier-Maxence Prosper: Questionable - G League (Two-way) 

Scotty Pippen Jr.: Out - Right Toe Surgery Recovery

Javon Small: Out - Left Toe Soreness

GG Jackson: Out - G League (On Assignment)

TIMBERWOLVES

Anthony Edwards: Out - Right Foot Injury Maintenance

Mike Conley: Out - Right Achilles Tendinopathy

Joan Beringer: Out - G League (On assignment) 

Enrique Freeman: Out - G League (Two-way)

Rocco Zikarsky: Out - G League (Two-way)

Vitals - How to Watch Grizzlies at Timberwolves

Game date, time and location: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 8:10 p.m. EST, Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (Grizzlies), Bally Sports North (Timberwolves)

Radio:  WMFS-FM (Grizzlies), KFXN (Timberwolves)

Memphis looks to improve brutal record vs. winning teams

The Memphis Grizzlies (12-14) visit the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-9) in the first of four matchups this season between the teams. The Grizzlies have struggled against top competition all season, as they come into this one 1-12 against teams currently above .500, which doesn’t even include a loss at Golden State, which slipped to 13-14 after dropping four of six this month.

Memphis will be playing its third game without starting center Zach Edey. The Grizzlies are a respectable 6-7 on the road and posted their lone win against a team with a winning record in Phoenix on Oct. 29.

These teams will play a pair of games on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at FedEx Forum and conclude their 2025-26 season series on March 3. The Grizzlies won two of three over the Wolves last season, winning twice in January before falling 141-125 on April 10 in the most recent meeting. Both of Memphis’ victories came by two points and featured big games from Jaren Jackson Jr., who averaged 28.5 points and 9.5 rebounds but didn’t play in the lone loss late in the season.

Morant scored 36 in the setback, but Memphis couldn’t overcome a 44-point night from Edwards in failing to pull off a sweep. Minnesota won all four matchups in 2023-24 and has beaten the Grizzlies in eight of the last 11. Memphis had lost six straight at Target Center before its 127-125 win on Jan. 11 in a game that featured 25 lead changes. A Morant jumper with 18 seconds left provided the winning margin after Edwards failed to connect on a pair of 3-pointers in the final 7.3.

Memphis is still down 58-54 lifetime against the Timberwolves, who won 32 of the first 37 meetings and went 20-4 against the Grizzlies when they were based in Vancouver.

Betting Lines (via DraftKings) 

Spread: Timberwolves -7.5 (-110), Grizzlies +7.5 (+110)

Moneyline: Timberwolves -278, Grizzlies +225

Total: 227.5 (Over -112, Under -108)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

PROJECTED STARTERS

GRIZZLIES

F Jaylen Wells

F Santi Aldama

C Jaren Jackson Jr.

G Vince Williams Jr.

G Cedric Coward

TIMBERWOLVES

F Jaden McDaniels

F Julius Randle

C Rudy Gobert

G Donte DiVincenzo

G Bones Hyland

QUOTABLE

Grizzlies guard Ja Morant on losing to the Jazz in his return to action: "We let guys come off the bench and make a difference. I’ve got to be better. I’ve got to be able to go up and help my bigs rebound. I’ve got to take care of the ball. Better decisions. Make shots. I’ll correct mine, and we’ll correct ours together."