The Memphis Grizzlies are all set to kick off their 2025-26 campaign on Monday, hosting the Detroit Pistons at FedExForums. As excitement builds for the preseason opener, Scotty Pippen Jr. left social media buzzing by sharing a series of pictures from the team's media day.
Pippen Jr. prepares for his fourth professional season in the league by posting five pictures on Instagram with the caption:
“Year 4✍🏽.”
The post gathered love from fans, racking up thousands of likes. Pippen's mother, Larsa, along with teammates, former teammates and fans, filled the comments section with excitement for the season ahead.
“Would you mind??,” Yuki Kawamura wrote.
“Let’s go baby❤️,” Larsa Pippen wrote.
“⏰,” Jaren Jackson Jr. added an emoji.
“Yea pip,” Jake LaRavia said.
“Pimpinnn,” Desmond Bane wrote.
“Praying for a healthy & successful season. Proud of you deuce. The journey is the reward.🤞🏽,” @adelljharris wrote.
Pippen Jr. is coming after his first full season in the league, where he finally got consistent playing time. He played 79 games after playing 21 the year before off the bench, averaging 9.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.3 steals per match.
With Ja Morant facing an ankle sprain suffered during training camp, Scotty Pippen Jr. is expected to get more playing time in preseason. That gives him a big chance to make an impression on new coach Tuomas Lisalo and build his case for a bigger role in the rotation when the regular season begins. However, Ty Jerome is set to start at point guard if Morant is sidelined.
Scotty Pippen Jr. responds on Grizzlies losing Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard
The Memphis Grizzlies took a hit this offseason when they lost two crucial guards, Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard. But instead of giving up morale, players can see it as a chance to prove their worth.
Scotty Pippen Jr. is one of those players to use that as motivation. He is embracing the chance to grow as both a scorer and a facilitator, determined not to let the team feel Bane's absence.
"Obviously losing those two guys hurt, but there's more room for everyone else to step up,” Pippen Jr. said.
“And that's what I've been doing. Working on my game, working on me being a playmaker as well as a creator. Because I know that Desmond Bane is gone. I know that I believe I can step into that kind of role."
Scotty Pippen Jr, is excited to make a strong impression in his preseason opener against the Pistons. It is a matchup he has always enjoyed, averaging 12.5 points, 4.3 and 4.0 rebounds in four career games against them across his career.