Brook

Lopez

After coming off the bench in the Clippers’ first six games, Lopez is approaching the point where he needs to be rostered in 12-team leagues. He’s scored at least 20 points in three of the last four games, with Friday’s total being a season high. Add in the rebounds and three-pointers, and this was a good night for those rostering the veteran center. Isaiah Jackson (5/3/3 with one block), who began the season as the starter, should be rostered only in very deep leagues.

For the first time this season, Lopez has scored 20 points in consecutive games. After logging 35 minutes in the Clippers’ overtime loss to the Heat on Wednesday, the veteran center played 26 minutes on Sunday, and the Clippers were without Isaiah Jackson due to injury. Baba Miller (12/5/4/2/2) performed well in the backup center role, but Lopez remains the story. A fantasy afterthought during the preseason, BroLo should be rostered in a higher percentage of 12-team leagues.

After playing 22 minutes in his first start of the season on Monday, Lopez played 35 in Wednesday’s overtime thriller. Given his production in those two starts and Isaiah Jackson’s inability to avoid silly fouls, Lopez may have the starting center job for the foreseeable future. Jackson, who has committed at least four fouls in six of his eight games, played 13 minutes against the Heat and finished with two points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Jackson is a late addition to the injury report. If he doesn’t suit up, Brook Lopez will remain in the starting unit, though that could happen even if Jackson plays. Baba Miller could fill out the backup center minutes if Jackson is unavailable.

Inconsistent as a starter in the Clippers’ first six games, Jackson was moved to the bench on Monday. The decision could have been matchup-based, but Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue stuck with Brook Lopez (12/6/1/1/1 with one three-pointer) as the starting center after Toronto ruled out Jakob Poeltl. Jackson didn’t let the demotion get him down, as he recorded a season-high point total and matched his previous high in rebounds. Simply put, even if Jackson continues to come off the bench, those rostering him shouldn’t throw in the towel.

The Clippers are down three starters for Monday’s game, with Rui Hachimura, Derrick Jones Jr. and Isaiah Jackson unavailable. They’ve been replaced in the lineup by Gradey, Sanders and Lopez. Of the three, Lopez may be the safest option for fantasy managers.

Friday was a good night for managers rostering Jackson. In addition to matching his season-high in steals, the Clippers’ starting center blocked four shots. In the first four games of the season, Jackson blocked only two shots. Jackson’s defensive potential and field-goal percentage can make him valuable to fantasy managers, even though he’s sharing center responsibilities with Brook Lopez (15 points, six rebounds and one block). Against the Timberwolves, both played 21 minutes.

While Isaiah Jackson (six points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block in 28 minutes) earned the starting center role, his limited offensive skill set means Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue will continue to factor Lopez into his plans. Against the Lakers, the 7-foot-1 backup scored 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting in the first half on Friday. Lopez’s production tailed off after halftime, but his final line reminded everyone what he can do, even in a backup role.

Despite coming off the bench, Lopez played 27 minutes on Wednesday due to starting center Isaiah Jackson getting into foul trouble. The veteran 7-footer clearly still has something left in the tank, as he recorded a complete stat line that included a double-double. Jackson still hasn’t established himself as a center you can fully trust in fantasy basketball, which is a good reason to roster Lopez in deep leagues.

Jackson was the starter throughout the preseason, so Saturday’s news is not a complete surprise. However, the confirmation makes him an even better option for fantasy managers who need a center in the later rounds of their drafts. Brook Lopez will be the backup, and that limits his fantasy value considerably.