The Grizzlies have been in a state of flux over the past few months, culminating in a growing rift between the team and its franchise player, Ja Morant. Memphis are off to a 4-7 start this 2025-26 NBA campaign, putting them 10th in the Western Conference, and this doesn’t bode well for their NBA 2025 odds of making the postseason.
The Pacers are also off to a lacklustre start this season, as they’re among the worst teams in the league with a 1-9 record. Rick Carlisle’s side has definitely missed the services of their key players, especially star point guard Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles).
In contrast, the Pistons are off to a brisk start with a 9-2 win-loss card, including a seven-game winning streak, and franchise cornerstone Cade Cunningham has been the catalyst behind their early success.
Here are some of the latest NBA 2025 updates, courtesy of SBOTOP.
Morant is unhappy amid the Grizzlies’ uneven start
The Grizzlies have gone with head coach Tuomas Iisalo after making the bold move of firing Taylor Jenkins in the final few days of the 2024-25 regular season, and the team has experienced mixed results. Memphis went out in the first round against Oklahoma City, and fast forward to today, Iisalo is not on good terms with Ja Morant.
Iisalo reportedly challenged Morant’s leadership during the team’s 117-112 loss against the Lakers last month, which did not sit well with Morant, who had a season-low eight points on 3-for-14 shooting from the field. After the defeat, Morant had a dismissive tone when the media asked about his confrontation with Iisalo. The team eventually chose to suspend the high-flying guard for one game.
Morant, who said he has lost his joy for the game, has been dogged by injuries and suspensions in the past few years, so many are wondering whether Memphis should eventually move on from him because they seem to be going nowhere. As of now, the Grizzlies are still behind Morant, and the two-time NBA All-Star has performed much better in the past few games.
The Grizzlies may be trying to mend fences with Morant because the trade market for him isn’t robust. Morant still has three years left on his five-year, $213 million rookie max extension, so the team will likely ask for the king’s ransom if there are takers for the mercurial floor general.
Pistons’ Cunningham making an early case for the MVP
The Pistons are among the hottest teams in the league because of the continued ascension of Cade Cunningham. The 24-year-old guard recently earned the Eastern Conference Player of the Week honours after averaging 31.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 9.8 assists on 54.7-per cent shooting from the field across a 4-0 week for Detroit. The last time Cunningham received the award was in December 2024.
Cunningham is fresh from another spectacular performance, as he led the Pistons to a 137-135 overtime win over the Wizards. The one-time NBA All-Star recorded 46 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, five steals, and two blocks on 14-for-45 shooting from the field and 16-for-18 shooting from the free throw line.
He is facing the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Victor Wembanyama for this year’s MVP award, which is a tall task. However, if he keeps the Pistons at the top of the Eastern Conference as their main man, then he should be at least in the conversation. Believe it or not, the Pistons haven’t had a league MVP in their history, and maybe Cunningham could be the first.
Injuries are ravaging the Pacers
After almost winning their first NBA championship last June, the Pacers are back to square one this season. Their 1-9 start matches their worst start to a season in franchise history, and it’s because the Pacers are missing a litany of key players. Myles Turner’s departure to Milwaukee in free agency did not help either.
Indiana entered the 2025-26 campaign knowing they would be without Tyrese Haliburton, who tore his Achilles in Game 7 against the Thunder. However, TJ McConnell (hamstring), Obi Toppin (foot), Bennedict Mathurin (toe), Johnny Furphy (ankle), and Quenton Jackson (hamstring) have also joined him in the medical room.
Pascal Siakam, who is averaging 24.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.3 steals on 43.7-per cent shooting from the field, is doing all he can to keep Indiana afloat, though he missed their last game against the Warriors due to rest. Either way, the 2025-26 campaign is a gap year for the Pacers, which will be used to develop their young players and maybe get a high draft pick.
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