Short-Staffed Hornets Face Grizzlies

The Charlotte Hornets are scheduled to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night at FedExForum. Both teams are entering the game with a notable number of unavailable players, which will significantly impact rotations and gameplay. Charlotte will be without Mason Plumlee, who is recovering from groin surgery, and KJ Simpson due to a hip flexor strain. These absences will reduce the Hornets' size, rebounding, and guard depth.

The Memphis Grizzlies are facing more substantial losses. Key players such as Ja Morant (elbow injury), Brandon Clarke (calf strain), Zach Edey (ankle stress reaction), Ty Jerome (calf strain), and Scotty Pippen Jr. (foot surgery recovery) are all out. This depletion forces Memphis to rely heavily on players like Desmond Bane for offense and potentially Jaren Jackson Jr. if he is active, emphasizing spacing and shooting to compensate for missing creators and frontcourt depth.

This matchup is expected to be a contest of execution, particularly concerning lineup balance and sustained play. With fewer star players on the court, mistakes and scoring droughts could prove decisive. Historically, the Grizzlies have performed well at home against the Hornets. Both teams are striving to improve their standing before the All-Star break, with Charlotte looking to pressure the paint and play faster, while Memphis aims to leverage shooting and the load carried by Bane.