Two teams with opposing fortunes in the league collide as the Memphis Grizzlies take on the New Orleans Pelicans. With known troublemakers like Ja Morant and Zion Williamson on their roster,  fans of both teams are probably equally worried heading into the match. Although we’d reckon the Pelicans are the ones who have more immediate concerns. 

Though both teams are on 4-game winning streaks, they find themselves on opposite ends of the Western Conference Table. The Grizzlies are 3rd while the Pelicans  To make things worse, the Pelicans will be missing a key player in their clash against the Grizzlies. So let us review the injury report submitted by both teams on January 24, 2025.

Pelicans vs Grizzlies Injury Report – Is Ja Morant playing tonight vs the Pelicans?

To put your mind at rest before we get into the nitty-gritty, yes. The notorious Ja Morant will be playing against the Pelicans since he wasn’t named in the injury report. Here are the players that WERE mentioned in the injury report submitted by the Memphis Grizzlies:

• Santi Aldama – QUESTIONABLE (Illness)
• Yuki Kawamura – OUT (G-League; Two-way)
• Zyon Pullin – OUT (G League; Two-way)
• Jake LaRavia – OUT (Low back; soreness)
• Cam Spencer – OUT (Left Thumb; Surgery Recovery)
• Vince Williams Jr. – OUT (Right Ankle; Sprain)

Quite the list of injuries huh? Well, it would be longer if we included Zach Edey like the original injury report. But we omitted him since it marked him as AVAILABLE despite having a nasal fracture. He will be playing with a protective face mask. The potential absence of Santi Aldama will concern Grizzlies fans. But they’d rather have him play later at 100% than now while compromised.

When it comes to the Pelicans though, it seems their woes have no end. After all the drama involving Zion Williamson’s suspension, he will miss yet another game for the Pelicans. He will be absent while he reconditions himself back to gameday fitness levels. Here are the other players who also find themselves on the injury report turned in by the Pelicans:

• Kelon Brooks Jr. – OUT (G-League; Two-way)
• Antonio Reeves – OUT (G-League; On Assignment)
• Brandon Ingram – OUT (Left Ankle; Sprain)
• Herbert Jones – OUT (Right Shoulder; Strain)
• Yves Missi – PROBABLE (Non-COVID; Illness)
• Dejounte Murray – PROBABLE (Right Elbow; Bursitis)
• Zion Williamson – OUT (Reconditioning)

Brandon Ingram will now miss his 21st consecutive game for the Pelicans. It’s no wonder they want to trade him despite his great points average over the past seasons. However, the Pelicans will welcome back Yves Missi with open arms after he missed two games due to illness. But the same can’t be said for Herb Jones. The team has not provided a timeline for his return and he may be out for a few months.

The numerous injuries and absences will definitely affect the way the teams line up against each other. After all, both sides are missing key players, problematic or not.

Grizzlies vs Pelicans – predicted starting lineups and depth chart

The Grizzlies will be glad to have Ja Morant on their side for the upcoming game. Here’s how the Memphis Grizzlies may lineup given their absentees against the New Orleans Pelicans:

With notable absentees from his squad, Willie Green must be scratching his head trying to decide on a starting lineup. That said, here’s how the Pelicans may look as they square off against the Grizzlies:

Both sides will be going into their game on Friday missing important cogs in their machines. Although it is clear that the Pelicans are having the worst of it, missing 3 key players from their roster. However, as the underdogs it’s decided that they will not be easy to overcome for the Grizzlies.