Alright Grizzlies fans, it’s getting real. The Western Conference playoff race is pure madness. Think musical chairs—but with seven-footers, highlight dunks, and the constant fear your team might drop three spots overnight. From the 3rd seed all the way to 8th, we’re talking a paper-thin gap—barely two games. One off-night, and BOOM!, the standings flip like a pancake on a hot skillet.

Right in the thick of it, you’ve got Memphis. The Grizzlies are holding on with a 44-28 record—though “holding on” feels like an understatement. They’re in a dogfight with the Clippers and Wolves, and Golden State’s just barely one win ahead, flexing at the 5th spot, and oh boy, they’re on a roll. But no one’s safe. And honestly? This stretch of games might define the whole season.

Now, here’s the million-dollar question for Memphis Fans: Is Ja Morant suiting up tonight against Detroit? Well yes, he’s in.

He’s had a few ups and downs this year—shoulder issues, a bout of illness, and then that hamstring tweak he picked up back on March 14 against the Cavs. Oh yeah, Let’s not forget the controversial Gun-sign moment with the last Golden State Warriors. Felt like every time he found his rhythm, something knocked him out of sync. He was even questionable heading into that Lakers game the other day, having missed six straight.

But yeah—he’s back, and he’s not messing around. In that gritty, grind-it-out win over Miami (finally snapping a nasty 4-game skid), Ja lit it up: 30 Points, 5 Rebounds, 3 Assists… in just 32 minutes. No warm-up laps, no easing in. He came out swinging.

And honestly? They need every ounce of that energy. Because after Detroit (already a tough match up), it’s straight into the fire—Timberwolves, Nuggets, Mavericks. It’s like the final level of a video game, and all the bosses are stacked back-to-back. These next five games? Yeah, they’re huge. Like, season-defining huge.

Now, while Ja’s suiting up, it’s not all smooth sailing on the injury front. The Grizzlies aren’t completely in the clear yet. So, who’s in, who’s out, and who’s riding the questionable tag? Let’s take a quick look.

Memphis Grizzlies Injury Report

Vince Williams Jr. is out tonight—illness. Tough break. He’s not a mainstay in the starting five or anything, but he’s been giving the Grizzlies solid minutes on the wing, doing the little things: hustle plays, perimeter defense, just bringing juice off the bench. Definitely a guy you miss more than the box score shows.

That said, the rest of the rotation? Honestly, it’s looking pretty decent for once. Ja’s in. Desmond Bane, Jaylen Wells, Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey—they’re all good to go. And after the injury circus earlier this season, that feels like a small miracle.

Off the bench, you’ve got Luke Kennard, Scotty Pippen Jr., GG Jackson—guys who can hold their own and contribute in real ways. So yeah, not perfect, but there’s enough firepower here to make some noise.

Let’s take a quick look at how the Grizzlies’ lineup is stacking up for this one.

Memphis Grizzlies Depth Chart: Going Against Detroit Pistons

Despite a few key bench pieces missing, Memphis has a solid starting five and some sneaky depth to lean on. Expect a tight rotation tonight, especially with playoff seeding on the line.

All in all, this one’s worth watching. The Pistons, 5th in the East, have been a surprise force this season. But with Cade Cunningham out, Memphis has a real shot—especially with Ja Morant flying and the core lineup back. With playoff seeding at stake, this isn’t just another game—it’s a tone-setter. Buckle up.