March 1, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Olivier-Maxens Prosper (18) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers center Micah Porter (11) defends during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Olivier-Maxense Prosper has taken advantage of the opportunities that have arisen this season as the Memphis Grizzlies have suffered a string of injuries.
As a result, the Grizzlies rewarded the 6-foot-7 forward with a standard contract earlier this week after starting the season on a two-way contract that was nearing its 50-game expiration. Prosper signed a multi-year contract and is expected to be in the lineup when the Grizzlies host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night.
“I’m so thankful,” said Prosper, who is in his third season. “You strive for things like this. It’s just about having faith in myself and believing that everything will be okay, staying true to the process and staying true to my work.”
Prosper is averaging a career-high 7.8 points per game and shooting 54.1% from the floor. He is shooting 38.9% from long range.
“Ever since he showed up here, his work ethic has been tremendous,” Memphis coach Tuomas Isalo said. “He has shown a lot of improvement both in attack and defence. He has improved his technical ability and is always there when we need him. He is a very reliable player. We have had him in different places and we are very happy to have him for the rest of the season.”
He was selected No. 24 in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft and spent two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. He was released by the Mavericks last August and signed with the Grizzlies before the start of this season. He said the organization is a good fit.
“Personally, my style of play and my ability to play and influence the game with my energy and effort are a good fit,” Prosper said.
“So I think it’s just this locker room, the players we have.” He continued: “I think who I am, my work ethic, the way I approach things and everything fits well with everyone here. I think we’re all part of the same organization. We’re a young core that all wants to be good and get better.”
Prosper was especially influential after the All-Star break. In the next eight games, Prosper showed his versatility by averaging 13 points and 4.5 rebounds. He played from small forward to center.
“I want to be where I want to be, where I feel like they value me,” Prosper said. “It’s a great place and I think it could be a great home for me. I love the challenge.”
The Clippers will have their own challenges. They need to bounce back from a heartbreaking 116-112 loss to San Antonio on Friday in which they squandered a 25-point third-quarter lead.
The Spurs outscored the Clippers 66-37 over the final 21:20 of the game. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue praised Spurs coach Mitch Johnson for implementing a zone defense to come back from a 66-46 halftime deficit. The Spurs’ first half success rate of 59.6% compared to the Clippers’ 41.5% wasn’t bad either.
“It wasn’t a traditional zone. It was a little tricky. We didn’t run against this zone and that got them back in the game,” Lue said.
“Mitch did a great job of holding on. I don’t think they could stop us offensively, so he did a good job of holding us down, and that’s what happened.”
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 30 points and 9 rebounds. Brook Lopez added 26 points and six rebounds.
Los Angeles will be without rookie Yanic Niederhauser, who will miss the rest of the year with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot that requires surgery.
Darius Garland debuted for the Clippers on Monday against the Golden State Warriors and played Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers, wins in both games. He scored 12 points in each game, but missed the game against the Spurs due to a nagging toe injury and is expected to sit out the game against Memphis.
–Field level media
