Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season after undergoing surgery Thursday to correct a misalignment of his right pinky finger, the Memphis Grizzlies announced.
The move was expected after the team revealed a day earlier that he would need the procedure, and Memphis said he is expected to make a full recovery before next season.
Caldwell-Pope was acquired from Orlando in the Desmond Bane trade last summer and has played in 51 games this season, averaging 8.4 points, 2.7 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per night while shooting .410/.316/.913.
The 33-year-old has long been known as a reliable three-and-D role player, winning championships with the Lakers in 2020 and the Nuggets in 2023.
However, his production, especially from three-point range, has declined as he has shot 33.3% from deep since 2024-25 after converting 38.9% in the previous seven seasons.
He has a player option worth $21.6 million for the 2026-27 season, which he is widely expected to exercise.
Memphis, already hit hard by injuries, is expected to have just nine active players available for Friday’s game against Utah.
Ja Morant, Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Cedric Coward, Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. are also sidelined, while rookie Walter Clayton is questionable.
Head coach Tuomas Iisalo said Wednesday that Aldama’s knee issue remains uncertain after he missed eight of the team’s last nine games before the All-Star break.
“We want to get it down to a baseline,” Iisalo said. “We tried to go back and forth a little bit those few games and it flared up every time.”
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (finger surgery) out for the season https://t.co/EegpasWi10
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 20, 2026
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