Grizzlies Try to Build Off Skid-Snapper vs. Celtics as Young Pieces Shine

Memphis players expected to serve limited roles have stepped up with key injuries to starters.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 5:10am

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The Memphis Grizzlies, despite a tough and frustrating season, have seen some of their younger players step up in the absence of key starters like Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Santi Aldama and Scotty Pippen Jr. due to injuries. Players like Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Taylor Hendricks have made an impact, with Prosper scoring 19 points and Hendricks contributing 13 points, six steals and three blocks in a recent win over the Denver Nuggets. The Grizzlies will look to build on that momentum as they host the Boston Celtics, who have won 8 of their last 11 games with Jayson Tatum back from an Achilles injury.

Why it matters

The Grizzlies' season has been marked by injuries to their top players, but the emergence of role players like Prosper and Hendricks shows the team has depth and young talent that could pay dividends in the future, even if this season is lost. The game against the Celtics is an opportunity for the Grizzlies' young core to gain valuable experience against one of the NBA's top teams.

The details

In the Grizzlies' 125-118 win over the Nuggets that snapped an eight-game losing streak, Prosper finished with 19 points and two steals in 23 minutes, while Hendricks contributed 13 points, six steals and three blocks in 24 minutes. With the Grizzlies short on big men, the 6-foot-7, 230-pound Prosper and 6-foot-9, 215-pound Hendricks took turns trying to slow down Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, one of the best players in the NBA.

  • The Grizzlies' win over the Nuggets on Wednesday, March 19, 2026 snapped an eight-game losing streak.
  • The Grizzlies will host the Celtics on Friday, March 21, 2026.

The players

Olivier-Maxence Prosper

A 6-foot-7, 230-pound Grizzlies player who stepped up with 19 points and two steals in 23 minutes against the Nuggets, guarding the much larger Nikola Jokic.

Taylor Hendricks

A 6-foot-9, 215-pound Grizzlies player acquired last month who contributed 13 points, six steals and three blocks in 24 minutes against the Nuggets, also challenging Jokic.

Ja Morant

A key Grizzlies starter who has missed most of the season due to injury.

Zach Edey

A key Grizzlies starter who has missed most of the season due to injury.

Santi Aldama

A key Grizzlies starter who has missed most of the season due to injury.

Scotty Pippen Jr.

A key Grizzlies starter who has missed most of the season due to injury.

Nikola Jokic

The three-time NBA MVP and five-time All-NBA first-team selection who the Grizzlies' young players challenged.

Jayson Tatum

The Celtics star who has returned from an Achilles injury and is helping lead Boston's recent surge.

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What they’re saying

“(Jokic) is one of the best players in the world, but my thought was this is a great challenge for me. I wanted to make it as difficult as I can for him and use my quickness to my advantage.”

— Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Grizzlies player

“Taylor has been really great. It's one of the things that really hasn't surprised us, but just the ability he has with his wingspan, he's really disruptive, he's able to pressure even smaller guards, but especially big guys, while still holding his own physically and being able to rebound for his position.”

— Tuomas Iisalo, Grizzlies coach

“Offensively, he's making great reads and I think his conditioning is continuing to get better. Defensively, he's rebounding and competing at the point of attack in our individual defenses and executing the game plan. He's getting better and better for us.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Celtics coach

What’s next

The Grizzlies will look to build on their momentum from the win over the Nuggets as they host the Celtics on Friday, March 21, 2026. This will be another tough test for the young Grizzlies players against one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

Despite a difficult season marked by key injuries, the Grizzlies have seen some of their younger, role players step up and make an impact. This shows the team has depth and promising talent that could pay dividends in the future, even if this season is lost. The game against the Celtics will be another valuable learning experience for the Grizzlies' young core.