Scotty

Pippen Jr.

Due to Ja Morant (hip) being unavailable, more was needed from Pippen, even if he was already in the starting lineup. He undoubtedly answered the call, matching his career-high point total, and the rebound tally was the best of his NBA career. Having entered the 2024-25 season as a fantasy afterthought, Pippen finished as a 12th-round player in eight-cat formats. He’s on a guaranteed contract for next season and, regardless of who’s hired as the next head coach, will be worth grabbing with a late-round pick in 12-team leagues. In addition to Pippen’s production, Morant’s injury history makes this a worthwhile dice roll.

Morant exited early from Game 3 after a scary fall while attempting a layup. Memphis had a large lead when he exited, but they weren’t able to hold on, and they’ll now enter Game 4 without their star point guard and trailing 0-3 in the series. Scotty Pippen Jr. should take over point guard duties, while Luke Kennard will likely replace Morant in the starting unit after starting the second half in his place.

After totaling 15 points on 5-of-21 shooting in the first two games of this series, Pippen recorded one of his best stat lines of the season in Game 3. However, much of his offensive production occurred before halftime, as Memphis was on a roll. Pippen shot 7-of-10 from the field in the first half, but the Grizzlies’ offense would grind to a halt once Ja Morant exited with a hip injury. Pippen’s final stat line was impressive, and he’ll need a similar effort in Saturday’s Game 4, especially if Morant is unable to play.

During the regular season, the Grizzlies went with Vince Williams Jr. as the fifth starter after losing Jaylen Wells to a fractured wrist. However, Pippen was the choice on Tuesday, with his inclusion shifting Ja Morant off the ball. Pippen was solid but not spectacular; we’ll see if the Grizzlies stick with this lineup when they host Dallas or Sacramento on Friday. Williams only played three minutes, going scoreless with one rebound and one assist.

Memphis is sitting its top rotation players for Sunday’s game, as they will be the seventh or eighth seed in the West, depending on the results. With Pippen and Ja Morant out, Cam Spencer should play heavy minutes, with Yuki Kawamura likely moving into the rotation. Spencer is the player worth targeting in active deep leagues.

Pippen and Kennard are among the Grizzlies’ rotation players listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game. Memphis’s loss to the Nuggets on Friday locked them into the play-in tournament; Sunday’s results will determine if they’re the seventh or eighth seed. With Pippen and Kennard unlikely to play, Yuki Kawamura and Cam Spencer should play rotation minutes out of necessity.

Morant will return to the Grizzlies’ lineup after sitting out Saturday’s win over the Pistons. Scotty Pippen Jr. will head to the bench after logging 29 minutes as a starter against Detroit. His fantasy value takes a sizable hit due to decreased playing time.

Morant was a late scratch on Saturday, and though he didn’t practice on Monday, Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo expects him to return following a one-game absence. Morant’s return will likely send Scotty Pippen Jr. back to the bench.

Morant is a late scratch for Saturday’s game, opening up a spot in the starting lineup. Scotty Pippen Jr. is the replacement, and he stands to provide solid streaming value in that role.

Morant is a late addition to the injury report, as the Grizzlies initially announced him as a starter. If he cannot play, Scotty Pippen Jr. or Luke Kennard will move into the starting lineup. Pippen offers a higher fantasy ceiling as a starter, while Kennard’s promotion would increase Desmond Bane’s value.