Isaiah Stewart Injured During Grizzlies Debut

Isaiah Stewart left his Memphis Grizzlies debut early after suffering an ankle injury during a preseason game.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Basketball

Isaiah Stewart Injured During Grizzlies Debut

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Memphis Grizzlies player Isaiah Stewart sustained an ankle injury during his debut after landing on an opponent's leg. Stewart played for just two minutes and seven seconds and recorded one rebound before leaving the game.

Why it matters

The injury raises immediate concerns about Grizzlies roster depth, as the team struggled significantly with health issues throughout the previous season.

Stewart played only two minutes and seven seconds in his debut, recording one rebound before exiting. The team previously lost 564 man-games to injury and illness during the last season.

The players

Isaiah Stewart

He is an NBA player who recently joined the Memphis Grizzlies and has a history of ankle injuries.

Memphis Grizzlies

The professional basketball team based in Memphis that competes in the NBA's Western Conference.

Jalen Johnson

He is an NBA player for the Atlanta Hawks who was involved in the play that led to Stewart's injury.

The details

Stewart landed on the right leg of Atlanta Hawks player Jalen Johnson while contesting a shot during the game. He exited the court at State Farm Arena and headed directly to the locker room for evaluation.

January 2024: Isaiah Stewart sustained a previous left ankle sprain.
November 2025: Stewart sustained another left ankle sprain.
October 5, 2026: Stewart sustained an ankle injury during his Grizzlies debut.
October 7, 2026: The team announced Stewart will miss the upcoming game on Wednesday.

Season Trajectory

The injury follows a pattern set by the team's significant personnel losses last season, creating uncertainty regarding their depth. This development complicates the Grizzlies' early preseason efforts to establish a stable rotation.

Stewart will miss at least the game against the Orlando Magic this Wednesday. The Grizzlies have three remaining preseason games to evaluate their roster depth.

The takeaway

The Grizzlies must manage injury risks carefully to avoid repeating the roster instability seen last year. Maintaining player availability during the preseason is vital for integrating new acquisitions like Stewart effectively.