The Memphis Grizzlies are playing against the Toronto Raptors tonight at the FedExForum. The Grizzlies have not had much success in recent times ever since playing against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena. However, they have certainly done well to bounce back from a losing streak in January 2023. Tonight, they will be aiming to overcome the Raptors.
Dillon Brooks has been suspended one game without pay and Donovan Mitchell has been fined $20K for their roles in an on-court altercation in Thursday’s game, the NBA announced. pic.twitter.com/98mfmuUf2x
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 4, 2023
The Grizzlies franchise has been quite involved with plenty of drama this season. Very recently, Dillon Brooks got into it with Cleveland Cavaliers superstar Donovan Mitchell after hitting him in the groin. This caused the Spida to throw the ball at the Grizzlies star. This caused quite a stir, as Mitchell also hit back off the court with some heated comments. With that said, the NBA got involved in the matter and suspended both of the players. This will certainly affect the outcome of the game tonight.
Ja Morant is questionable for the Memphis Grizzlies vs Toronto Raptors game tonight
Ja Morant has featured in most of the Grizzlies’ games this season. He has played in 44 out of 52 games for the team this season. He has not been injured many times, but it sure seems like it tonight. Reports say that Ja is questionable to play against the Raptors with right wrist soreness. Together with Ja, Steven Adams is also on the Grizzlies’ injury report with a PCL sprain as well.
.@memgrizz status report, Feb. 5 vs @Raptors: pic.twitter.com/Ulr2r0i0Co
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) February 4, 2023
Jaren Jackson Jr. is also questionable for the game tonight with right thigh soreness. Adam Silver and the NBA suspended Dillon Brooks for one game, meaning that he will be missing only tonight’s game. Brooks should return to the court to play against the Chicago Bulls on February 7.
Memphis Grizzlies injury report
- Ja Morant (questionable)
- Jaren Jackson Jr. (questionable)
- Steven Adams (out)
- Dillon Brooks (suspended)
Memphis Grizzlies expected roster
- Santi Aldama
- Xavier Tillman
- Desmond Bane
- Tyus Jones
- Brandon Clarke
Toronto Raptors injury report
- O.G.Anunoby (out)
- Otto Porter Jr. (out)
Toronto Raptors expected roster
- Scottie Barnes
- Pascal Siakam
- Gary Trent Jr.
- Precious Achiuwa
- Fred VanVleet
O.G. Anunoby continues to miss games due to the wrist injury he suffered injury but is still heavily linked with a trade to leave Toronto. Otto Porter Jr. is also sidelined with a surgery that will keep him out for the rest of the 2022-23 NBA season.
Can the Raptors take advantage of Ja Morant’s absence to take the win against the Grizzlies tonight?
The Raptors are 12th seed in the East right now with 24 wins and 30 losses. They have a decent roster with plenty of young players with potential as well. Scottie Barnes is an example of that, and Pascal Siakam belongs to the experienced side. He leads the Raptors roster in points and rebounds averaged per game. The Grizzlies will surely aim to keep an eye on him tonight. With that said, the Grizzlies do not look like the favorites for tonight’s game, mainly because of the key absences.
The last time these two sides faced was in December 2022. That was when the Grizzlies won the game 119-106, thanks to notable contributions from Ja and Brooks. Both of these players might not be available tonight, which boosts the Raptors’ chances of taking the win. Siakam was the best player for the Raptors that night and we can expect the same to be the case tonight as well.