The Memphis Grizzlies’ 2025-26 campaign continues to be defined by a relentless wave of injuries, and the team has now suffered another devastating blow to its backcourt depth. Just as the Grizzlies were trying to stabilize their rotation and somehow break out of a six-game losing streak, Scotty Pippen Jr. is set to undergo surgery that will sideline him for the remainder of the regular season.

On March 13, 2026, the team confirmed that guard Scotty Pippen Jr. will undergo a sesamoidectomy to address ongoing discomfort in his right big toe. The procedure will require the second-year guard to wear a surgical boot for the coming weeks. The development marks a significant setback for the son of Scottie Pippen, who had been emerging as an important piece in Memphis’ guard rotation.

Pippen underwent the same surgery back in October last year, but that time it was on his left foot. He missed 15+ weeks of action during recovery and didn’t make his season debut until February 6.

A sesamoidectomy involves the removal of a sesamoid bone, a pea-sized bone embedded within the tendons of the big toe. The surgery is typically performed to alleviate persistent pain caused by fractures or long-term inflammation when conservative treatments fail.

While the Grizzlies confirmed Pippen is expected to make a “full recovery” in their statement, the immediate rehabilitation window is daunting.

Recovering from a sesamoidectomy typically takes 8 to 12 weeks for a return to normal physical activity. No high-impact exercise is recommended for the first eight weeks. The full healing process can take up to 6 months.

The initial phase post-operation involves two weeks of strict non-weight-bearing elevation. That means Pippen Jr. will be sidelined while the Grizzlies attempt to navigate the final stretch of the season without their primary defensive spark. That likely means we won’t be seeing Scottie Pippen courtside at Grizzlies games any time soon.

Scottie Pippen’s son faces a major hurdle in his NBA breakout

It’s very hard to measure up to the greatness of a player who defined the Bulls dynasty. And for a while, there was very little hope for Scotty Pippen Jr. to live up to the legacy his father left. Until he came to Memphis.

The 6x champion gets to be in rare company among NBA dads whose kid is on the verge of NBA success. Now his son’s toe injury threatens to delay or, worse, even derail his momentum.

Stepping into a leadership role as Ja Morant dealt with persistent elbow issues, Pippen averaged 11.4 points, 4.7 assists, and a team-high 1.9 steals per game over his appearances this season. His defensive tenacity had become a hallmark of the Grizzlies’ rotation, often serving as the primary point-of-attack defender against elite Western Conference guards. His ‘grit and grind’ mindset was pretty much on display in the altercation with Myron Gardner.

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The loss of Pippen adds to a staggering list of casualties for Memphis this season. The Grizzlies’ medical update list now resembles a championship roster on the shelf, featuring Ja Morant (will be re-evaluated for a left elbow UCL sprain in two weeks), Zach Edey (ruled out for the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (out for the season following finger surgery), and Brandon Clarke (out for two weeks with calf strain) along with Taj Gibson, Ty Jerome, Cam Spencer, and so many others.

With Pippen Jr. now in a boot, the Grizzlies now have a backcourt void. For Pippen, the focus shifts entirely to a long rehabilitation process aimed at a 100% return for the 2026-27 season.

While the timeline for his return to basketball activities won’t be set until after the procedure, the young guard’s proven resilience at Vanderbilt and going undrafted in the NBA suggest he is well-equipped to handle the arduous road back to the hardwood.