Memphis Grizzlies DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (foot) is listed as questionable for Wednesday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Kennard has yet to make his 2024-2025 season debut due to a muscle strain in his foot he sustained during preseason action. The questionable tag marks progress for the 28-year-old, though, as it's the first time he's carried the questionable tag this season. Kennard was a full participant in Tuesday's practice as well, pointing to a positive sign that he may be able to give it a go on Wednesday. Kennard averaged 11.0 PPG while shooting 45% from three in his first full season with the Grizzlies and was brought back on a one-year $9.25 million contract this offseason. The sooner he can get on the court for the 4-4 Grizzlies, the better. Fantasy managers should temper their expectations if he's active for Wednesday night given it will be his first regular season game action in 2024. If he's ruled out, expect Scotty Pippen Jr. to continue to be the main threat off the bench for Memphis.

Memphis Grizzlies guard/forwardJohn Konchar(quadriceps) has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against Brooklyn. Konchar will miss his third consecutive contest, battling a contusion in the right quadriceps. The 28-year-old has averaged 5.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in 19.0 minutes this season. His absence is another blow for the team as injuries continue to pile up. Jaylen Wells and Scotty Pippen will likely continue to see increased roles as they have recently.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Desmond Bane (oblique) was diagnosed with a right oblique strain. He is considered "week-to-week." The 26-year-old has averaged 18.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 40.6% from behind the arc this season. Of course, this is a tough blow for the Grizzlies, although it is magnified, considering Bane hasn't played more than 58 games in each of the last two seasons. With Marcus Smart (ankle) sidelined as well moving forward, the team will turn to Jaylen Wells and Santi Aldama to fill the void, with the duo combining for 25 points and 18 rebounds in Saturday's win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Fantasy managers can look in their direction while Bane and Smart are on the shelf. The same can be said for Scotty Pippen Jr., who had 12 points and 13 assists off the bench on Saturday.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Desmond Bane (oblique) won't play on Saturday against the 76ers. Bane suffered an oblique strain in Wednesday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets and didn't play on Thursday versus the visiting Bucks. Marcus Smart (ankle) was also sidelined for that one, opening the door for Jaylen Wells and Santi Aldama to enter the starting lineup and finish the night by combining for 35 points. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jake LaRavia also received more work from off the bench, with the duo combining for 27 points. As long as Smart and Bane remain on the shelf, Aldama, LaRavia, Pippen, and Wells are all worth considering for fantasy lineups. Of course, Ja Morant, who had a triple-double on Thursday, will likely continue to lead the way offensively.

Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Santi Aldama and small forward Jaylen Wells will join the starting lineup for Thursday's game against Milwaukee. The duo replaces Marcus Smart (ankle) and Desmond Bane (oblique), who were injured in Wednesday's 119-106 loss to Brooklyn. Aldama will make his fourth start of the campaign, while Wells joins the first unit for the first time in his young career. In his previous three starts, Aldama has averaged 13.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks. The injuries to Smart and Bane will likely also result in increased usage for Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.