Memphis Grizzlies center Isaiah Stewart is out for the team's next preseason game as he continues to be evaluated for an ankle injury suffered on October 5. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo confirmed Stewart did not practice and will miss the October 7 contest against the Orlando Magic.
Stewart went down with the ankle issue during the preseason opener against the Atlanta Hawks. The team is still assessing the full extent of the problem. His absence is a significant blow. Stewart brings rim protection, physical screen setting, and a veteran presence to a relatively young locker room. Without him, Memphis faces an immediate depth crisis at the center position.
Coach Iisalo acknowledged the need for flexibility. "With Stew out, there’s going to be some mixing and matching," Iisalo said. "Always trying to do what’s best for the team. Whether it’s trying to find new lineups or stabilize those." For now, Quinten Post is expected to handle the bulk of the minutes at the five. The Grizzlies will also use power forward Taylor Hendricks and two-way player Carson Cooper in various frontcourt combinations.
The injury situation puts even more focus on the recovery of rookie big man Zach Edey. Edey also missed the preseason opener against Atlanta. The Grizzlies' plan remains unchanged: they are committed to having Edey ready for the regular-season opener against the Utah Jazz on October 21 at FedExForum.
Memphis needs Edey's size and rebounding. Losing both him and Stewart would leave the paint dangerously thin. Solidifying the interior is a must.
Despite a 132-123 win over Atlanta to open the exhibition slate, Iisalo was not fully satisfied. He pointed to the half-court offense as a primary area for improvement. Iisalo wants his players to act faster and with more instinct, putting consistent pressure on opposing defenses.
"Players are obviously not robots," Iisalo explained. "Robots make for very bad basketball players because they always do the same thing." The team will use this week's games to evaluate progress before a final week of practice ahead of the October 16 preseason finale against Charlotte.
The October 7 matchup marks the return of former Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane. Traded to Orlando in June 2025, Bane was a captain and a central figure during his five seasons in Memphis. This will be his first game back at FedExForum in an opponent's uniform. His presence adds an emotional layer to a game that is already critical for evaluating the Grizzlies' new-look rotation under injury duress.
Memphis must find answers quickly. The center rotation is in flux, and the offensive system is still being refined. Every preseason minute is valuable for a team aiming to shake off the memory of a 1-4 finish to last season and build a new identity.
