Joe Mazzulla
Getty
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla during a game against the Detroit Pistons in October 2025
The Boston Celtics travel to Memphis on Friday night to face the Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. Boston is riding a three-game winning streak and sits at 46-23 on the season, second place in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics released their injury report Thursday ahead of the game. Memphis did the same. The two reports tell very different stories about what Friday’s matchup will look like.
Grizzlies Injury Report for Friday
The Memphis Grizzlies will be severely undermanned on Friday night.
Four key players have been shut down for the season. Kentavius Caldwell-Pope is out with a right pinky finger injury. Zach Edey is out for the year with a left ankle injury. Scotty Pippen Jr. will not return due to a right big toe injury. Santi Aldama is finished for the season with a right knee injury.
Three more rotation players are out for Friday’s game. Brandon Clarke remains sidelined with a right calf strain. Jahmai Mashack is out with a left ankle sprain. Ja Morant is out with a left elbow UCL sprain.
Two additional players are listed as doubtful. Taj Gibson is dealing with right foot soreness. GG Jackson is managing left knee soreness. Neither is expected to play Friday night.
The injuries have gutted Memphis’ roster. The Grizzlies sit at 24-44 and hold the 11th seed in the Western Conference. They have dropped eight of their last ten games.
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, Ja Morant trade rumors, Ja Morant injury update, Ja Morant injury return timeline, Ja Morant UCL elblow injury, Ja Morant injury return, NBA trade rumors, NBA trade deadline
GettyJa Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Celtics Injury Report Brings Good News
On the other side of the floor, the Boston Celtics will be nearly at full strength for Friday’s game in Memphis.
Nikola Vucevic will miss his seventh straight game. He fractured his right ring finger on March 6. Boston will hope to have him back before the playoffs begin.
Outside of Vucevic, the rest of the roster is available. Jayson Tatum has missed only one game since returning to the lineup on March 6. Jaylen Brown has been carrying the offense all season and remains healthy. The depth is intact.
Boston enters Friday’s game with a clean injury report aside from Vucevic. That represents a massive advantage over a Memphis team missing nearly its entire rotation.
GettyNikola Vucevic #4 of the Boston Celtics
What Tatum Has Shown Since His Return
Jayson Tatum returned to the floor on March 6 after a ten-month absence following an Achilles rupture. He is averaging 20.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists since returning.
Wednesday’s performance against the Golden State Warriors showed continued improvement. Tatum finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds in a balanced effort that helped Boston pull away in the second half. His shot looked clean. His movements looked fluid.
When Tatum and Brown both finish the game this season, the Celtics are undefeated. They have won eight of their last eleven games. They look capable of making a deep playoff run. Tatum’s return has strengthened the rotation. Brown’s MVP-caliber season has kept Boston near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Friday’s game in Memphis offers an opportunity to extend the winning streak to four games.
GettyJayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
Final Word for the Celtics
Friday night brings a massive mismatch in health.
The Celtics will be nearly at full strength aside from Nikola Vucevic. The Grizzlies will likely be missing nine players.
Boston has an opportunity to extend their winning streak to four games. Friday night in Memphis should provide that chance.