Season stats: 2025-26. Updated 6 h ago.
Scotty Pippen Jr. Has a Shot at Grizzlies' Starting Point Guard Job
newsroom · 8 min agoScotty Pippen Jr. enters the 2026-27 season as Memphis' presumptive lead guard after the Grizzlies traded Ja Morant to Portland this offseason. He is currently day-to-day with a right toe injury, with an estimated return date of October 1, 2026, right around the start of the new year.
The State of Things
Memphis heads into the 2026-27 season with a new look at point guard. Scotty Pippen Jr., who wears No. 1, is dealing with a day-to-day right toe injury as of September 6, 2026, with an estimated return date of October 1, 2026. That timeline lines up with the start of the season, which means Pippen has a real chance to be ready for opening night. Nothing else is on the injury log beyond the toe issue. With no other roster additions or subtractions mentioned, all eyes in Memphis are on whether Pippen can stay healthy and step into a bigger role right away.
A Path to the Starting Job
The biggest shift for Pippen this offseason had nothing to do with his own game. Portland acquired Ja Morant in a trade with the Grizzlies, clearing the position Pippen has been playing behind. That trade gives Pippen a chance to begin the new year as Memphis' starting point guard, according to the team's injury notes. It is now his job to lose, assuming his toe cooperates with the schedule. For a 25-year-old in his fourth season, this is the clearest runway he has had in Memphis. The Grizzlies will find out quickly whether he is ready to run the show as the primary ball-handler.
What He Did Last Season
Pippen's 2025-26 numbers came in a limited sample: 10 games played, averaging 21.2 minutes, 11.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.4 blocks, with 2.7 turnovers a night. He shot 44.8% from the field, 31.3% from three and 78.3% from the free-throw line, for a 53.7% true shooting mark. His usage rate sat at 25.5%, showing he was already a focal point of the offense in his minutes, and his plus-minus was -5.0. All of that came with Memphis last season, before the Morant trade reshaped the backcourt picture.
Injury Report
The only injury on record for Pippen right now is the right toe, logged as day-to-day on September 6, 2026. The estimated return is October 1, 2026. There is no other injury history listed and no indication of a long-term issue. The timing matters: an October 1 target puts him in range for the start of the 2026-27 season, which is exactly when Memphis needs him healthy to take over the point guard spot vacated by Morant's trade to Portland. Nothing beyond the toe has been flagged, so barring a setback, Pippen is on track to be available early in the year.
Player Profile
Pippen is a 6-2, 170-pound guard out of Vanderbilt, now in his fourth NBA season at age 25. He wears No. 1 for the Grizzlies. Last season's usage numbers, a 25.5% rate with 4.7 assists a game in just 21.2 minutes, point to a player Memphis already trusted to create offense when he was on the floor. With Morant now in Portland, Pippen's profile as a scoring guard who can also facilitate lines up with the starting role that has opened up for him heading into 2026-27.
Questions fans ask
Is Scotty Pippen Jr. injured right now?
Yes, he is listed day-to-day with a right toe injury as of September 6, 2026, with an estimated return date of October 1, 2026.
Will Scotty Pippen Jr. start at point guard for the Grizzlies?
He has a chance to open the 2026-27 season as Memphis' starting point guard after the Grizzlies traded Ja Morant to Portland.
What happened to Ja Morant?
Portland acquired Ja Morant in a trade with the Grizzlies earlier this offseason, opening up the point guard spot in Memphis.
What were Scotty Pippen Jr.'s stats last season?
In 2025-26, Pippen played 10 games, averaging 11.4 points, 4.7 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 21.2 minutes per game, shooting 44.8% from the field and 31.3% from three.
What college did Scotty Pippen Jr. play for?
He played college basketball at Vanderbilt.
What number does Scotty Pippen Jr. wear for the Grizzlies?
He wears No. 1.
Game log
last 0| Date | Opp | Result | Min | Pts | Reb | Ast | FG | 3P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No games logged yet this season. | |||||||||