Brook

Lopez

Jackson has been sidelined since March 27, but after practicing fully on Tuesday, he is now expected to make his return for the Clippers’ win-or-go-home matchup with the Warriors. He’ll likely occupy some of the backup center minutes behind Brook Lopez.

Collins has reached double figures in three consecutive games, a solid run for a player who totaled 13 points in the three games prior. However, his point total has decreased in each of the Clippers’ last three games. And his production took on added importance when Isaiah Jackson went down with a high ankle sprain. The backup center minutes now belong to Collins, resulting in his and Brook Lopez’s (six points, six rebounds, three assists and one block) minutes being staggered more than before Jackson’s injury. Jackson will be re-evaluated in one week, which means Collins will continue to have added importance.

It has been a largely unproductive season for Lopez, but he has started at center in every game since Ivica Zubac suited up for the last time as a Clipper, and he has been productive, especially recently. He has 16 blocks over his last five games and has scored in double figures in all but one of those. Lopez has provided fifth-round value over the past two weeks, and they’ll need him to stay productive in Thursday’s game against the Spurs.

Lopez displayed the type of floor spacing on Monday that those within the Bucks organization are very familiar with. The veteran center and former champion with the Bucks had a massive impact in the third quarter, when he netted four triples and recorded his only two blocks of the night. Lopez didn’t get a chance to test his hot hand in the fourth quarter because of the huge point differential between the two teams. However, he will look to stay hot against the Raptors on Friday.

With Yanic Konan-Niederhäuser (foot) done for the season, Jackson has moved into the backup center role. The former first-round pick had his best game as a Clipper on Saturday, recording a double-double along with three steals. Jackson played 24 minutes and even started the second half in place of starter Brook Lopez (four points, one rebound). The veteran center only played 12 minutes, and Saturday’s game, being the Clippers’ second in as many nights, may have been a factor. Consistency has been an issue for Jackson throughout his career, but he doesn’t need to play starters’ minutes to provide value. Keep an eye on him during the first two games of the Clippers’ four-game Week 20.

While it occurred in a losing effort, Lopez had one of his best games of the season on Friday. Shooting 7-of-11 from two and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, the veteran center’s 26 points were the most in a game for him since December 26. On that night, Lopez scored a season-high 31 points against the Trail Blazers. With backup center Yanic Konan-Niederhäuser (foot) having suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury during Wednesday’s win over the Pacers, the Clippers will need more from Lopez. On Friday, he played 34 minutes, the fourth time since the All-Star break that the 7-foot-1 center has played at least 30 in a game.

Limited to six points in Monday’s win over the Warriors, Lopez nearly tripled his output in Wednesday’s blowout of the Pacers. The veteran center played 21 minutes, with the playing time taking a slight hit with the game being a blowout. At a minimum, the Clippers won’t have backup center Yanic Konan-Niederhäuser (foot) for their next two games, so that may result in a slight increase in playing time for Lopez. However, given how his workload has been managed, that isn’t guaranteed.

Brook Lopez (six points, four rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes) remains the Clippers’ starting center, but Konan-Niederhäuser has earned more playing time recently. On Monday, the rookie played 21 minutes and finished with an excellent stat line. Konan-Niederhäuser became the ninth Clippers rookie in franchise history to have multiple games of at least four blocked shots. Also, he became the second reserve in the last 30 years to record at least 11 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and two steals in a game, joining Montrezl Harrell. Rostered in one percent of Yahoo! leagues, Konan-Niederhäuser has provided 11th-round value over the past two weeks, according to Basketball Monster.

The Clippers don’t play again until Thursday, so there is nothing to gain from adding Konan-Niederhäuser following his effort against the Magic. That said, the rookie 7-footer showed off the athleticism and defensive chops that prompted the Clippers to select him in the first round of last June’s draft. Konan-Niederhäuser’s four blocks were a season-high, and the eight boards were two shy of his previous high. Interestingly, he logged 26 minutes while starting center Brook Lopez (10/4/1/1 with one three-pointer) played 22. That won’t affect fantasy basketball immediately due to the Clippers’ poor Week 18 schedule, but it is something to watch during Thursday’s game against the Timberwolves.

Lopez recorded one of his better games of the season on Friday, posting a double-double while making an impact on the defensive end of the floor. The Clippers have been much more dependent on the veteran center since Ivica Zubac departed via trade. And since becoming a full-time starter again, Lopez has put together some good performances, albeit inconsistently. He’ll be on double-double alert again on Sunday against the Magic.