Ja Morant, Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama will start Friday's game against the Jazz.
Santi Aldama
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Ja Morant, Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama will start Friday's game against the Jazz.While Morant's return from a strained calf is the most significant change to the Grizzlies' starting lineup, it isn't the only one. While Jock Landale has been the preferred choice in the past, Aldama will step in to fill the void left by the injured Zach Edey (ankle). Edey will be out for at least four weeks, so there's still time for Landale to slide into the lineup. But this decision bodes well for Aldama's fantasy value, which is capped when he comes off the bench.
Santi Aldama finished Friday's loss to the Jazz with 22 points (8-of-15 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block and four three-pointers.Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo decided to go with Aldama to fill in for the injured Zach Edey on Friday, and his faith was rewarded. After scoring 22 points in Sunday's win over the Trail Blazers, the 7-footer hit that number again on Friday. Aldama finished with a complete stat line, and the production may be enough to keep him in the starting lineup moving forward. Jock Landale, who filled in for Edey to begin the season, played 27 minutes off the bench. He finished with eight points, nine rebounds, one assist, one block and two three-pointers.
Zach Edey (ankle) will be re-evaluated in four weeks after being diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left ankle.Edey underwent surgery on his left ankle in June, which makes Thursday's announcement especially concerning. The Grizzlies expect the 7-foot-4 center to make a full recovery, and they'll take an "offloading and rehabilitation" approach before re-evaluating him in four weeks. Jock Landale began the season as the starting center and should return to that role, making him a worthwhile addition in deeper leagues. There should also be more minutes available to Santi Aldama, but Landale should be the primary target of fantasy managers.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (ankle) is questionable for Monday's game against the Nuggets.Jackson has missed Memphis' last two games with a sprained right ankle, with Santi Aldama replacing him in the lineup. If JJJ remains out, Aldama will get another start, and he's worth rostering in 12-team formats while that is the case.