The Grizzlies ruled forward-center Isaiah Stewart out on Thursday with a right knee issue, one day after listing him as day-to-day. He will miss Friday's game against the Thunder, and the report lists Nov. 9 as his expected return.
What happened
Stewart was upgraded from day-to-day to out in the injury report posted Thursday at 6:17 p.m. ET. The report lists the problem as a right knee and leg issue. He had been day-to-day with the same designation since Wednesday. The report says Stewart exited Wednesday's 107-103 loss to the Pacers and did not return. He finished with six points on 3-of-4 shooting and one rebound in 10 minutes. The report gives an expected return date of Nov. 9. Stewart was also listed with a left ankle issue from Oct. 21 to Oct. 27, and he was cleared from day-to-day status on both occasions.
What it means for the Grizzlies
Memphis plays the Thunder on Friday at 8:00 p.m. ET without him. The Grizzlies are 6-2 and hold the sixth seed, but they have lost two straight. Stewart is averaging 11.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 18.3 minutes over seven games. The team is 5-2 with him and 1-0 without him. In the one game he missed, Cameron Boozer played 32.2 minutes and Ty Jerome played 30.7 and scored 27.4 points. Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells and Jerami Grant each played more than 24 minutes. Zach Edey played 20.7 minutes. Scotty Pippen Jr. is also out with a back issue.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether the Nov. 9 return date holds. The report gives no further timeline beyond that date. Stewart has been cleared quickly twice this season, but this is his first time listed as out with the knee issue. The Thunder game on Friday is the only contest on the schedule that is confirmed so far. Watch Edey's minutes against Oklahoma City, and watch whether Memphis can end its two-game losing streak without Stewart.
Is Isaiah Stewart playing vs the Thunder on Friday?
No. Stewart is out for Friday's 8:00 p.m. ET game against the Thunder, according to the injury report posted Thursday.
When will Isaiah Stewart be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Nov. 9. The Grizzlies have not announced anything further.