A noticeable wave of injuries at the point guard position has opened the door for Cam Spencer, a reserve player for the Memphis Grizzlies. As the team gears up for a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, Spencer has emerged as a crucial component of the Grizzlies’ rotation. His contributions have been vital in the team’s recent success, evidenced by their impressive record of six wins in the last eight games, including a solid victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, which ended 107-98.
Since stepping into a more prominent role, Spencer has been dazzling on the court. Over the past seven games, he has averaged 15.7 points per game, contributing significantly to the team’s 5-2 record during this period. The Grizzlies have been navigating injuries to key players, notably two-time All-Star Ja Morant (calf), Ty Jerome (calf), and Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe). Morant’s return is anticipated soon, but for the time being, Spencer is thriving under the increased responsibility.
Notably, Spencer’s shooting has been exceptional. He has converted 18 of his last 29 attempts from beyond the arc, placing him among the top ten in the NBA for 3-point shooting percentage. In the recent win against the Clippers, he recorded 17 points and seven assists, including a pivotal step-back three-pointer in the closing minutes that helped secure the lead for Memphis.
While Spencer is not starting at the point guard position—shooting guard Vince Williams Jr. has been shifted into that role—his impact has still been pronounced. Williams has proven to be a surprising playmaker, recording multiple games with 15 or more assists, a feat achieved by only one other player this season, Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic.
Spencer has expressed satisfaction with the increased minutes and his role in revitalizing a team that struggled early in the season, losing 11 of its first 15 games. “We hit some adversity at the beginning of the year, but we’ve bounced back pretty well,” Spencer remarked on the situation.
Head coach Tuomas Iisalo has been particularly impressed by Spencer’s resilience, scoring ability, and vision on the court. He noted Spencer’s commitment to improving, stating, “I’m surprised that people aren’t talking about him more. He’s one of those guys that wanted to come in and do involuntary workouts,” highlighting Spencer’s diligence in preparation. Iisalo emphasized the importance of Spencer’s presence in opponents’ scouting reports, acknowledging his capacity to shoot effectively and create plays off ball screens.
On the other side, the Portland Trail Blazers will be looking to bounce back from a tough loss, where they collapsed late in the game against the Detroit Pistons, resulting in a 122-116 defeat. The Blazers have struggled, losing four of their last five games and nine of their last twelve. Interim head coach Tiago Splitter acknowledged the team’s effort despite the challenges posed by injuries to key players, including guards Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday. Splitter noted that the team is adjusting to players being out of their natural positions but expressed pride in their competitiveness.
As the Grizzlies prepare to host the Trail Blazers, all eyes will be on Spencer’s continued evolution as a player under the spotlight.
