Key Grizzlies players return, boosting frontcourt strength. Can Aldama, Jerome, and Coward fuel a winning streak against the Timberwolves?
The Memphis Grizzlies could get three players back for Tuesday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Santi Aldama, Ty Jerome, and Cedric Coward all listed as questionable for the matchup against the Timberwolves.
Aldama is listed as questionable under right knee injury management. Jerome, who is day-to-day, is dealing with a left thigh contusion. Coward has a right knee posterior capsule sprain. All three sat out Sunday when Memphis beat Indiana 125-106 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Aldama's potential return would give Memphis its most complete frontcourt in weeks. The second-year forward is the team's leading rebounder at 6.7 per game and is averaging 14.0 points and 2.9 assists across 43 games this season. He has started 11 of those appearances and has shot 47.9% from the field. With center Zach Edey out since Dec. 7 and scheduled for a second ankle surgery, the Grizzlies have leaned on Aldama heavily in the frontcourt when healthy.
Jerome has been one of Memphis's most efficient players in the limited time he has been available. In eight games — all starts — the veteran guard is averaging 19.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in just 21.0 minutes per game. He is shooting 51.5% from the field and 41.2% from 3-point range. The Grizzlies have gone a combined 2-6 in his eight starts, but his production when on the floor has been a bright spot in an injury-plagued season.
Coward has been one of the more reliable players in Memphis's rotation as a rookie. He has started 35 of his 48 games and is averaging 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. The 23-year-old has shot 46.8% from the field and 84.3% from the free-throw line. His absence on Sunday forced the Grizzlies to go even shorter in the frontcourt against Indiana, though Memphis still outrebounded the Pacers 40-31.
The Grizzlies are already without several key contributors for Tuesday's game. Guard Ja Morant will miss his 18th straight game with a left elbow UCL sprain. Taj Gibson remains out while completing return-to-competition reconditioning. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is recovering from right fifth finger surgery, forward Brandon Clarke has been sidelined since Dec. 20 with a right calf strain, and Edey will not play as he prepares for his second ankle procedure.
The team said Monday that Edey is expected to make a full recovery, though a timetable will not be provided until after the surgery.
Memphis has won two straight games despite the wave of absences. The Grizzlies beat Dallas and Indiana in back-to-back games and are going for their first three-game winning streak since Nov. 26-30. Walter Clayton Jr. had 14 assists Sunday against Indiana, tying the franchise's single-game rookie record, and the Grizzlies shot 51% from the field and went a perfect 14-of-14 from the free-throw line.
Any combination of Aldama, Jerome, and Coward returning Tuesday would give Memphis more depth against a Minnesota team that has won three straight and is 10 games above .500. Anthony Edwards is averaging a career-best 29.5 points per game for the Timberwolves.
Memphis (23-36) tips off at Target Center on Tuesday night. This is the fourth and final regular-season meeting between the two clubs. The Grizzlies lead the season series 2-1.