The Grizzlies traded Williams (back/hip) and a 2030 second-round pick to the Nets on Friday in exchange for Mamadi Diakite and the draft rights to Nemanja Dangubic, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Williams made 51 appearances (15 starts) for the Grizzlies in 2023-24 before missing the remainder of the season with a right lower back injury and a hip flexor strain. Before the injury, the 22-year-old forward averaged 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 20.4 minutes. However, efficiency was an issue. He shot just 39.7 percent from the field and 30.7 percent from three-point range. If Williams can enter the 2024-25 campaign healthy, he will likely compete for bench minutes in Brooklyn's forward rotation.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Out at least four weeks
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The Grizzlies announced Tuesday that Williams has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain of hip flexor and low back muscles and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
Even if Williams returns right at the four-week mark, there would be just two weeks left of games in the regular season. Derrick Rose (back/groin) will also miss multiple weeks, joining Brandon Clarke (Achilles), Desmond Bane (ankle), Marcus Smart (finger) and Ja Morant (shoulder) on the long-term injury list. With Memphis shorthanded this season, Williams has played admirably in an expanded role, averaging 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 20.4 minutes across 51 appearances (15 starts).
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Won't play Monday
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Williams (back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Nets.
Williams had to be helped to the locker room late in overtime of Saturday's loss to Portland due to a back injury. The extent of the issue remains unclear, but Williams' next chance to suit up will come Wednesday in Philadelphia.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Exits with back injury Saturday
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Williams exited in overtime of Saturday's 107-100 loss to the Trail Blazers with an apparent back injury, Jonah Dylan of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports. He finished with nine points (2-7 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds and one steal across 34 minutes.
Williams was helped to the locker room with a few minutes left in overtime and didn't return, so the medical staff will presumably assess his condition ahead of Monday's game against the Nets. While starting in each of the Grizzlies' last six games, Williams has averaged 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 three-pointers and 1.3 steals in 31.2 minutes.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Comes close to double-double
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Williams had 16 points (6-14 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds and two assists across 36 minutes during Wednesday's 110-101 loss to Minnesota.
Williams has started in each of Memphis' last four games, mainly due to the team's overall lack of depth and injury issues that have plagued the Grizzlies all season long, but he's made a strong impression, scoring in double digits in three of those outings. He remains a fringe fantasy alternative in most formats due to the inconsistency of his role, but he could be worth a shot as a streaming alternative in some slates or deep formats. He's averaging 9.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game over his last 10 appearances (four starts).
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Draws start Friday
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Williams will join the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Clippers, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Williams getting the nod isn't a huge surprise, as he had arguably his best game of the campaign prior to the All-Star break with 27 points (9-13 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 5-7 FT), four rebounds, four assists and three steals over 36 minutes.
Williams chipped in 27 points (9-13 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 5-7 FT), four rebounds, four assists and three steals over 36 minutes during Thursday's 113-110 win over Milwaukee.
Williams was forced to handle a massive workload due to the absence of John Konchar (quadriceps), Luke Kennard (knee) and others, but he stepped up to the challenge and responded by posting a career-best scoring mark. Williams has handled a bench role most of the season and has racked up just 10 starts, averaging 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in those contests. However, given Memphis' injury problems, it wouldn't be surprising if Williams is trusted into a more significant role following the All-Star break.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Gets chance to start
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Williams is starting Thursday's game against the Bucks.
Williams logged 22 minutes Wednesday in his first action since Jan. 28, and he may be in line for a heavier workload Thursday with John Konchar (quadriceps) ruled out. Williams is averaging 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists through 44 matchups this season.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Expected to play Wednesday
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Williams (hand) is officially listed as questionable but is trending toward playing Wednesday against the Rockets, Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian reports.
Williams hasn't played since Jan. 28, so if he's cleared as expected, the youngster will presumably be limited. Before his multi-week absence, Williams had carved out a solid bench role for the injury-depleted Grizzlies, averaging 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 20.0 minutes over his prior 13 appearances (one start).
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Listed as questionable
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Williams (hand) is questionable to play Wednesday versus Houston, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Williams has not taken the court since Jan. 28, but he appears to be nearing a return. Memphis commences a back-to-back set Wednesday, with a Thursday contest against Milwaukee giving Williams two opportunities to return to action before the All-Star break.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Likely out Monday
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Williams (hand) is listed as doubtful ahead of Monday's game against the Pelicans.
Williams is in jeopardy of missing his eighth consecutive game due to a left hand contusion. A timetable for his return remains unclear at this point.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Not playing Saturday
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Williams (hand) is out against the Hornets on Saturday.
No surprises here, as Williams was initially listed as doubtful to play, and this will be his seventh straight absence. His next chance to return to the hardwood will come against the Pelicans on Monday.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Likely out Thursday
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Williams (hand) is listed as doubtful for Thursday's game versus the Bulls.
Williams is expected to miss his sixth straight game Thursday due to a left hand injury. However, being listed as doubtful instead of out is a good indication that Williams is progressing towards a return.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Remains out for Tuesday's game
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Williams (hand) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Knicks.
Williams continues to deal with a left hand bone contusion and will be unavailable for a fifth consecutive game. The Grizzlies remain extremely shorthanded, so Williams could see a sizable role if he's cleared to return soon. However, a timetable for his return isn't yet clear.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Ruled out for Sunday
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Williams (hand) won't play in Sunday's game against the Celtics.
Williams will miss a fourth straight game due to the left hand injury. Given the litany of injured players on the roster, Williams could be in store for significant playing time whenever he's cleared to play again.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Not suiting up Monday
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Williams (hand) has been downgraded to out for Monday's game versus Sacramento.
Williams, John Konchar (ankle) and Vince Williams (knee) were all ruled out upon the release of the Grizzlies' latest injury report, leaving Memphis with just eight available players Monday. The Grizzlies haven't indicated that Williams' injury is more than a day-to-day concern, so he could be ready to play when Memphis returns to action Thursday versus Cleveland.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Pops for 17 points Friday
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Williams posted 17 points (7-10 FG, 3-6 3Pt), four rebounds, five assists and two steals in 30 minutes during Friday's 107-106 win over Orlando.
Williams came from nowhere to play 30 minutes in the win, scoring at least 15 points for just the eighth time all season. While this was an encouraging performance, it should be noted that he had scored a combined 20 points in the previous five outings. There is no need to be adding him based on this one performance.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Moves to bench Thursday
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Williams is on the bench to face Minnesota on Thursday, Michael Wallace of the Grizzlies' official site reports.
Williams will head back to the bench after one game in the starting lineup, with John Konchar moving into the first unit. Williams is averaging 12.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in his last five outings off the bench.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Plays 27 minutes in victory
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Williams closed with nine points (4-10 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), four rebounds, three assists and two steals in 27 minutes during Sunday's 121-115 win over the Suns.
Williams was held below 10 points Sunday after posting double-digit scoring totals in his last two appearances, but he contributed in multiple areas during the victory. He fell out of the rotation over a three-game stretch between the end of December and the start of January, but he's bounced back over his last three outings, averaging 14.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in 21.7 minutes per game.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Cleared to play Wednesday
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Williams (illness) isn't listed on Memphis' injury report ahead of Wednesday's matchup against the Pistons.
Williams missed Saturday's loss to Phoenix due to an illness but will return to action Wednesday. His role has been inconsistent this season, but he should continue to see plenty of playing time while Memphis is banged up. Over his last eight appearances, Williams has averaged 9.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 18.8 minutes per game.
