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As the Memphis Grizzlies navigate more absences than highlights, the same question is being asked in countless ways. What will the future look like if Ja Morant is no longer the answer? Well, Ty Jerome is showing Tuomas Isalo and the front office what a cost-effective solution looks like. While much of the league’s attention has focused on Morant’s availability and trade rumors, Jerome has quietly posted All-Star-caliber numbers.

Jerome is currently the only player averaging over 20 points per game (20.9) at Memphis, surpassing both Jaren Jackson Jr. (19.5) and Morant (19.2) in scoring output this season. It’s a small sample size, admittedly, but the statistical profile shows that Jerome is much more than just a “hot hand” on a weak team. Look at Nikola Jokic’s near triple-double in three quarters against the Denver Nuggets.

The lack of a front court has made it difficult to evaluate this season. However, Isalo knows the Grizzlies have at least one locker room leader for next season.

“Ty has been very strong for us the whole time,” Isalo said. “He’s become one of the premier creators in the entire league, able to create shots for himself and others.”

Jerome leads the Grizzlies in 3-point attempts (6.6) and is shooting better than 40% from beyond the arc, which is the hallmark of a typical modern point guard. Perhaps most impressive is that Jerome Morant is getting to the free-throw line just as often as he is, but maintaining a field goal percentage 8% higher than Morant.

Like Ja, Ty also has a target on his back, given the shorthanded nature of the roster that has been limited to two-way players, 10-day contract signings and 42-year-old Taj Gibson. Yet, Jerome turns the ball over only 1.9 times per game, compared to Morant’s 3.6. His 5.4 assists per game lags Morant’s 8.1, but the raw stats don’t fully capture the circumstances.

“(Jerome) gets the toughest assignments every night…a lot of length on him, a lot of physicality,” Isalo explained. “They try to take the ball out of his hands, but somehow he always finds a way.”

Even under the microscope, Jerome’s statistical profile matches up favorably with the league’s starting guards returning from injury. For example, his production is compared to Dejounte Murray (New Orleans Pelicans). Murray is averaging 19.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 35.1% from three and committing 3.4 turnovers per game. Jerome’s scoring, efficiency and ball security all stand out in that comparison.

The financial implications are equally important. Jerome is under contract for $9.2 million through the 2026-27 season, a fraction of Morant’s $42.4 million cap hit and significantly less than Murray’s $32.8 million salary. In a league where roster flexibility often determines whether teams can pursue contention, the difference in salary cap optionality could prove significant.

That contract disparity is where Jerome’s value becomes truly transformational for the Grizzlies. His cheap deal frees up ample room for frontcourt additions this offseason, giving the front office flexibility that would be lost if the franchise was forced to pay market rate for comparable point guard play. If Morant is traded this summer, the 28-year-old would provide a reliable, affordable bridge rather than a crippling void.

Jerome can also serve as a mentor. A rookie point guard added through the draft would benefit from playing alongside a steady veteran who values ​​efficiency and decision making. With Cedric Coward, Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer, Scottie Pippen Jr. and Jaylen Wells all capable of contributing in ball-handling duties, a Jerome-anchored backcourt could help develop the guy who ultimately assumes the lead guard role long-term.

That stability could be invaluable for a team dealing with uncertainty around one of its biggest stars. Jerome may not have arrived in Memphis with the fanfare of a franchise cornerstone, but his breakout season has quietly given the Grizzlies something every front office desires. All rebuilds have option rules on everything. And with Morant’s future still a big question mark, the Grizzlies may soon have a strong reason to see how far Jerome’s rise can go.

It’s one thing to lose a game; It’s an absolute disaster to lose to a team that is so inferior on paper. The Vegas Golden Knights did just that in a 5-0 loss to the Sidney Crosby-less Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon.

And to make matters worse, they lost their captain in the process.

In the first round, there was no sign of the coming blow. The Golden Knights got off to a timely start, recording the first four shots on goal and dictating the game in the first five minutes of the game. And then, the Penguins found their footing and essentially forced the Golden Knights into submission.

The Penguins broke the ice first at 14:56. Anthony Mantha won the board battle against Keegan Kolesar, and Ben Kindel controlled the puck and drove into the zone. Kindall cut to the middle of the ice, stepped into the slot, and ripped a sneaky wrister through to Rasmus Andersen that beat Adin Hill on the blocker.

Despite trailing by just one goal, the Golden Knights entered the first intermission with a storm cloud hanging over their heads. At the end of the period, Mark Stone took a cross-check from Kris Letang and immediately went down the tunnel. Stone did not return to start the second period and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The Penguins doubled their lead as their power play ended 5:47 into the second period. Justin Brazeau found Egor Chinakhov all alone in the right circle, and the winger fired a shot past Adin Hill short-side.

At 9:34 of the second game the Penguins struck again on the power play. Jeremy Lauzon knocked down Erik Karlsson’s shot from the point, but he couldn’t stop Bryan Rust from banging in the rebound.

The Penguins increased their lead on the power play at 15:06 of the second minute. Erik Karlsson single-handedly hit Ricard Raquel in front of the net and Raquel buried his own counterattack.

This season, the Golden Knights have been known for their dramatic comebacks. That was not the case today. They created nine high-danger scoring chances in the third period, but could not beat Arturs Silovs.

The Penguins added insult to injury at 14:59 of the third period. Kris Letang stripped Jack Eichel of the puck and found Ben Kindel on a fly through the neutral zone. Kindle entered the zone and released the puck to Justin Brazeau, who fired a shot past Adin Hill.

Arturs Silovs secured the shutout for the Penguins and the Golden Knights lost 5–0.

After Sunday’s regulation loss, the Golden Knights still lead the Pacific Division with 70 points and a 28-18-14 record. The Anaheim Ducks are on top with 67 points, and have two games in hand.

However, the division standings are far from the Golden Knights’ biggest concern right now. Instead, that honor goes to Mark Stone’s injury situation. Despite already missing 17 games this season, Stone is second on the team in scoring with 21 goals and 60 points in 43 games.

The Golden Knights live and die by their captain. He’s not just a dominant player – he’s the emotional leader in the locker room. If he misses any time, the Golden Knights will feel that loss deeply.

Hannah Kirkel is a beat writer who covers the Vegas Golden Knights for Vegas Hockey Now on SportsNote. She studied more about Hannah Kirkel

Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham has been spot-on in the NBA this season. The Pistons are firmly on top of the Eastern Conference after finishing sixth last time out with a 44-38 campaign, one win away from the overall record.

And well, the contributions of MVP contender Cunningham are a major reason behind that improvement. But while his offensive strengths are well-documented, Jalen Duren also pointed to an aspect of Cunningham’s game that doesn’t get talked about enough, according to a post on X by journalist Jeremy Otto.

Jalen Duren says Cade is a great two-way player, even though everyone talks about his offensive skills. 3 more blocks tonight #piston pic.twitter.com/uLT4qph6ef

– Jeremy Otto (@JeremyOttoPxP) 26 February 2026

“Yeah, I mean, 6-7, I mean, doing exactly what he’s supposed to do. He’s a great defender, he’s a great scoring player, you know people know him for being a point-guard, for being a scorer but he’s a great two-way player. He’s been doing that all season, so it’s nothing new. I know when I see him one-on-one on a fast break with a smaller guard, I’m Likes his chances,” Duren said.

While that may be true, it’s hard to praise a player’s defensive efforts when he’s averaging 25.3 points, 9.8 assists and 5.8 rebounds per appearance. However, Cunningham is averaging about 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.

He boasts a solid defensive rating of around 109.5 while producing 4 defensive rebounds per game, and is undoubtedly making his presence felt on the other end of the court as well. However, Duren may still feel that it is Cunningham’s offensive ability that gets talked about the most, and for very good reason.