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The San Antonio Spurs face the grit-and-grind Memphis Grizzlies at the AT&T Center on Friday night. Without Ja Morant in the lineup (as he undergoes his eight-game suspension), the Spurs can’t let up on the league’s irritant. 

No matter the situation, the Spurs don't lose their effort. Gregg Popovich said as much following his team’s overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks: “They did a great job. A lot of guys got minutes. Combinations were a little strange probably, but their competitiveness and execution here and there were great. Really proud of them.”

Against the Morant-less Grizzlies, San Antonio must match the grit and grind of its bothersome opponent. Don't let Morant’s absence fool you; the Grizzlies get the job done without their star point guard. According to Stat Muse, Memphis is 33-22 all-time without Morant in the rotation. 

With that said, the Spurs have rotation issues that they must address. Injuries continue to play a role in the Spurs' season. The past 10 games saw at least four players on the official NBA injury report. 

In a game where the pace has a chance of slowing, inserting rookie guard Malaki Branham into the mix will inject adrenaline into the Spurs' lineup. 

Spurs vs. Grizzlies Injury Report

San Antonio Spurs

  • Charles Bassey (OUT - patella)
  • Khem Birch (OUT - knee)
  • Devonte' Graham (OUT - quad tendon)
  • Romeo Langford (OUT - adductor)
  • Keita Bates-Diop (QUESTIONABLE - Achilles)

 Memphis Grizzlies

  • Ja Morant (OUT - league suspension)
  • Steven Adams (OUT - knee)
  • Brandon Clarke (OUT - Achilles)
  • Vince Williams Jr. (OUT- shoulder)
  • Jake LaRavia (QUESTIONABLE - back)

RECORDS: San Antonio Spurs (18-51), Memphis Grizzlies (41-27)

WHEN: Friday, Mar.17, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. CT.

WHERE: AT&T Center (San Antonio, TX)

TV: Bally Sports Southwest, League Pass

RADIO: Spurs Radio 1200

ODDS: The Grizzlies are 8.5-point favorites over the Spurs.

NEXT UP: The Spurs host the Atlanta Hawks at the AT&T Center on Sunday, Mar. 19 at 3:00 p.m. CT.


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