Utah Jazz enter their upcoming matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies with a clear but challenging injury landscape. As the team continues to navigate roster adjustments in mid-December, availability remains a key storyline heading into the contest. While there are no late-breaking shocks on the report, the Jazz will once again take the floor without several rotation and depth pieces, forcing the coaching staff to lean heavily on its available core.
Below is a complete breakdown of who will be sidelined and how those absences could shape Utah’s approach against Memphis.
Full Utah Jazz Injury Report vs. Grizzlies
Jazz have officially ruled out the following players for the clash:
Elijah Harkless (two-way, G League) – OUT
Taylor Hendricks (G League assignment) – OUT
Walker Kessler (left shoulder, injury recovery) – OUT
Georges Niang (left foot, fourth metatarsal stress reaction) – OUT
John Tonje (two-way, G League) – OUT
Oscar Tshiebwe (two-way, G League) – OUT
Cody Williams (G League assignment) – OUT
This leaves Utah without a mix of frontcourt size, wing depth, and developmental prospects as they prepare for a physically demanding opponent.
Walker Kessler and Georges Niang remain key absences
Among the names on the injury report, Walker Kessler and Georges Niang continue to stand out as the most impactful losses. Kessler remains sidelined as he progresses through recovery from a left shoulder injury, depriving Utah of rim protection and interior rebounding. His absence places added responsibility on the Jazz’s remaining bigs to hold up defensively against Memphis’ athletic frontcourt.
Niang, meanwhile, is still awaiting his season debut. The veteran forward has been working his way back from a lingering foot injury dating back to the offseason. Utah has taken a cautious approach with his recovery, and he will not be available for this game. Without Niang, Utah Jazz miss out on a reliable floor-spacer and a versatile wing option who could help stabilize second-unit minutes.
G League assignments shape Jazz rotation
A significant portion of Utah’s inactive list comes from G League assignments. Taylor Hendricks and Cody Williams are both temporarily developing in the G League, while Elijah Harkless, John Tonje, and Oscar Tshiebwe remain unavailable under their two-way contracts. These moves signal the organization’s continued emphasis on long-term growth, even as the NBA schedule intensifies.
While these absences are not unexpected, they do limit Utah’s flexibility off the bench, particularly in terms of size and defensive matchups.
What it means for Utah against Memphis
With no surprise additions or late upgrades, Utah Jazz are expected to roll out a familiar rotation against the Grizzlies. Consistency may help Utah settle into a rhythm, but the lack of depth puts pressure on starters and primary contributors to manage heavy minutes effectively.