Brandon

Clarke

After sitting out Friday’s loss to the Lakers, Aldama, Clarke, and Stevens remain sidelined for Sunday’s season finale. While Aldama appeared in 61 games and finished ranked just outside the top 150 in 9-cat formats, Clarke did not make his season debut until March after recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon. With Memphis being hit hard by injuries, the values of Aldama, Clarke, and Stevens will be low heading into drafts in the fall. At best, they will be late-round options.

While Aldama and Clarke sat out Wednesday’s loss to the Cavaliers, Stevens started and played 37 minutes. The absence of all three frees up playing time for Jack White and Timmy Allen, who played 15 and 16 minutes respectively in Cleveland. As for active fantasy leagues, GG Jackson and Trey Jemison are the players to target.

Clarke’s production was modest outside of the point total, but the fact that he was in the starting lineup is more noteworthy. Tuesday’s game was his first start since returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon, and the Grizzlies’ many injury-related absences are why the opportunity presented itself. With Memphis scheduled to visit Cleveland on Wednesday, Clarke may sit out that contest for injury management reasons. Trey Jemison (14/9/2/1/1 in 30 minutes) and GG Jackson (11/4/2/0/1 with two 3-pointers in 28 minutes) will continue to log starters’ minutes for the rest of the season.

There’s only one change to the Grizzlies’ starting lineup, but it’s a big one. Clarke will start for the first time since returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon, replacing Maozinha Pereira (whose 10-day contract has expired). Clarke’s minutes may not increase much, but the starting role represents another positive step as he works his way back to full fitness.

The trio will join numerous other Grizzlies on the sidelines, and the most likely beneficiaries are GG Jackson, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Brandon Clarke.

Clarke will be back after missing the team’s last game, and with Jake LaRavia and Lamar Stevens doubtful, Clarke should see as many minutes as his restriction will allow him to play. Luke Kennard, who was listed as questionable with Clarke, is “trending towards being out”.

Clarke and Kennard missed their last game, but there is a chance that they return for Saturday’s game. With Jake LaRavia and Lamar Stevens both expected to be sidelined, both Clarke and Kennard should play big roles, though guys like Maozinha Pereira and Zavier Simpson should still see minutes.

With Jaren Jackson Jr. also sidelined, Memphis will be without four key forwards for this game. GG Jackson, Lamar Stevens and Jake LaRavia should be the main beneficiaries, with all three playing big minutes recently.

Aldama was back in the lineup after missing Saturday’s loss to the Magic with an illness, and he did not have much of an impact offensively. The good news for fantasy managers was his three blocked shots, the second time in three games Aldama’s had at least that many. What helped the Grizzlies on Monday was that others stepped up, including reserves Brandon Clarke (15/7/0/1/2 with one 3-pointer in 22 minutes) and Jake LaRavia (12/4/2 with two 3-pointers in 25 minutes). Despite the limited offense and recent health struggles, Aldama is ranked just outside the top 50 in 9-cat formats over the past three weeks.

Clarke posted a 6/5/1/1 line across 21 minutes in his season debut against the Lakers on Wednesday, and he improved on that performance in his second game of the 2023-24 campaign. Clarke finished second on the team in scoring behind only Jordan Goodwin (16 points) on a night when the Grizzlies shot 36% as a team and scored just 88 points. As has been the case for the last few months, Memphis is running short on available players, so Clarke could turn in meaningful performances down the stretch, albeit in limited minutes.