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Memphis Grizzlies Starter Downgraded vs. Detroit Pistons on Monday

The Detroit Pistons won't be facing Memphis Grizzlies starter Desmond Bane on Monday.
Justin Grasso|
Dec 6, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) shoots on Detroit
Dec 6, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) shoots on Detroit | Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

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Memphis GrizzliesDetroit Pistons

In a matchup between two struggling teams on Monday night, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Detroit Pistons have crowded injury reports.

On Memphis’s side, there aren’t many surprises. Some long streaks of absences will continue, as players such as Marcus Smart, Derrick Rose, and Ja Morant won’t get the nod to play.

As for Grizzlies starter, Desmond Bane, he will get a second-straight night off as he continues to deal with soreness in his back.

Recently, Bane returned from a notable string of absences. Following a 22-minute shift against the LA Clippers on January 12, Bane was ruled out for what became a 29-game absence for the Grizzlies.

In Memphis’s March 16 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he finally returned. Bane remained on the court for three-straight games. During that time, the Grizzlies suffered losses in each outing.

When the Grizzlies paid a visit to the San Antonio Spurs on March 22, Bane went inactive once again. That time around, his absence would last one night. The veteran returned to the court for Memphis’s March 25 loss against the Denver Nuggets. He appeared in a second-straight game two nights later to take on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Following a 40-minute showing against the Lakers, where he scored 26 points and dished out 16 assists, Bane started another string of absences. First, he missed the Grizzlies’ Saturday matchup against the Orlando Magic. Monday’s matchup against the Pistons will keep the trend going.

The two teams will tip-off at 7 PM ET in Detroit. Memphis will be looking to climb out of a three-game hole, searching for their 25th win of the year. Meanwhile, the Pistons are coming off of a victory over the Washington Wizards, who place half a game in front of them in the Eastern Conference.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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