MEMPHIS, Tenn. — On Tuesday's game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the San Antonio Spurs, the Beale Street Bears used their 50th lineup of the season, breaking an NBA record.
The Memphis Grizzlies have had the most starting lineups in one season since the NBA started keeping track around 1970, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
With multiple injuries and a busy trade season, the team continues to look different in nearly every game.
The Grizzlies were no strangers to injuries this season, and along with Ja Morant's delayed debut due to his 25-game suspension, they were often left short-handed.
Grizzlies Center Steven Adams underwent season-ending knee surgery before the season even started. Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane were also absent for an extended period of time, suffering from injuries.
General Manager Zach Kleiman traded Steven Adams, David Roddy and Xavier Tillman, who have all been starters, and signed standouts Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson to multi-year deals. These moves were made in preparation for next season.
The Grizz were missing most of their key players against the Spurs, including Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and newcomer Marcus Smart, all due to injuries. They lost the game 102-87.
In February, Kleiman said the team’s win record will not affect whether key players get to play or not.
“We want to make sure that our guys are going to be in a position to be fully healthy, and obviously, we want the group to hit the ground running next season," Kleiman said. "We will take those decisions a day at a time, a week at a time. We will be smart with those decisions, but the decisions won’t be made based on the record.”