Grizzlies gear up for critical stretch with visit to Hornets

The Memphis Grizzlies are learning on the fly a bit down the stretch of a season with still plenty at stake.

So while Tuesday night's road game against the Charlotte Hornets won't look anything like a showdown, it could be a crucial opportunity for the Grizzlies.

Memphis is hoping interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, who replaced the fired Taylor Jenkins last month, can have the team ready for critical games ahead. They've shown some signs of breaking through.

The Grizzlies (46-32) have recovered from a rough stretch to win their past two games, Thursday at Miami and Saturday at Detroit. Desmond Bane had 38 points in the Detroit game.

The Hornets (19-59) have lost eight of their last nine games, including three in a row. They'll be playing their home finale Tuesday night.

Zach Edey's rookie franchise-record 21 rebounds were a boost for the Grizzlies in Detroit.

"A huge impact," Iisalo said of Edey. "He has had an incredible stretch of games. ... The way he is grasping the tactical nuances, his discipline in executing the game plan (have been big positives)."

Memphis played without the injured Ja Morant, but Iisalo said he expects the star guard to return against the Hornets.

Charlotte coach Charles Lee said he's seeking the right approach for the final stretch of the season, with the Hornets sitting well out of playoff contention for weeks. He's nearing the end of his first season as the team's coach.

"The way you communicate with the team is vital and important," Lee said. "Figuring out what I think the team needs in those moments. I feel like I've gotten a better feel as the season's gone on because I've gotten a better feel for the players and how they're best pushed or challenged."

From a team aspect, it's still important to Lee that he sees the Hornets "show competitiveness and overall togetherness and trying to impact the game as best as possible."

The Hornets are trying to generate good sequences during games, along with evaluating how potential players for the 2025-26 season might best fit into the organization's plans.

There have been recent encouraging outings, such as Jusuf Nurkic recording 18 points in 16 minutes Sunday against the Chicago Bulls.

"It's getting better," Nurkic said. "More comfortable with the coach's approach. Charles running plays for me. It's a huge confidence boost, the coach and teammates trusting you."

Hornets rookie Tidjane Salaun, a first-round draft pick last summer, has logged at least 24 minutes in each of the last eight games. His high point total in those outings is 13 points.

"He definitely is just getting a little bit more comfortable," Lee said. "More reps is what's helping him going through his whole season. ... It's all just starting to make sense."

Memphis defeated the Hornets 132-120 on Jan. 22 at home. Bane led the Grizzlies with 24 points in that game.

Charlotte is 12-28 in home games. The Hornets will finish their season with three road games, beginning Wednesday night at Toronto.

--Field Level Media