Isaiah Stewart has been ruled out for Memphis's season opener at the Bulls with a left ankle issue after being listed day-to-day. The Grizzlies will open the 2026-27 season without their starting big man in the frontcourt rotation.
What happened
The Grizzlies' injury report listed Stewart as out Friday at 7:12 PM ET, a change from his previous day-to-day designation. The issue is described as ankle, leg, left. Stewart did not practice Friday, according to Michael Wallace of the Grizzlies' official site. The status change came the same day Memphis opens its season at the Bulls, meaning Stewart will miss the opener rather than play through the day-to-day tag he carried into the week.
What it means for the Grizzlies
Memphis opens its 2026-27 season at the Bulls on Friday at 8:00 PM ET on NBA TV, and it will do so without Stewart. Last season he averaged 10.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in 22.7 minutes across 58 games. With Stewart sidelined, frontcourt minutes fall to Jaren Jackson Jr., who has logged 30.7 minutes and 19.2 points, and Santi Aldama, at 27.9 minutes and 14.0 points, per the team's rotation data. The Grizzlies enter the opener at 0-0, with no regular-season games yet played this season.
What to watch
Stewart's expected return is Oct. 23, 2026, per the injury report. The next official report will show whether his status changes before then. Memphis has also listed Micah Peavy as day-to-day with an ankle issue, so the frontcourt rotation could shift further depending on both players' next updates as the season's early schedule unfolds.
Is Isaiah Stewart playing at Bulls?
No. Stewart is listed as out for Friday's game at the Bulls with a left ankle injury.
When will Isaiah Stewart be back?
His expected return is Oct. 23, 2026, according to the injury report.