Gregory

Jackson

Jackson will sit after starting Thursday’s game against the Mavericks. His absence likely means more playing time for Taylor Hendricks, who was used in a reserve role on Thursday. Given his defensive potential, Hendricks is worth streaming, especially if he starts.

Wells and Prosper are the only holdovers in the Grizzlies’ starting lineup. Due to a host of absences, Small and Rupert will start, while Jackson is back in the lineup after coming off the bench in Tuesday’s loss to the 76ers. GG has replaced Taylor Hendricks, who will come off the bench.

Jackson was pushed to the bench with Cedric Coward back, but he was still able to make an impact as a scorer. Of the five reserves that played, Jackson was one of four to score in double figures. Eight of the 10 players that checked into this game for Memphis scored at least 10 points. This was only the second time he has come off the bench since Feb. 4, and he should start more often than not moving forward.

Jerome and Coward are back after sitting out Monday’s loss to the Nets. They’ll start with Javon Small and Cam Spencer being dropped to the bench. The third change to the lineup is Hendricks, who replaces GG Jackson.

Jackson kept the turnovers in check on Monday, committing one, and that category has caused a four-round difference in his fantasy value since the All-Star break. Providing top-100 value in eight-cat formats, GG is ranked well outside of that threshold in nine-cat formats. However, given how shorthanded the Grizzlies are in the frontcourt, he’s close to a must-roster player for the rest of the season, regardless of the turnover concerns.

Rostered in 32 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Jackson has been close to a top-75 player in eight-cat format since the All-Star break, according to Basketball Monster. However, while the final stat line on Saturday was solid, he was limited to 22 minutes despite not being in foul trouble. Fantasy managers don’t have too much to worry about regarding Jackson’s workload, especially with the Grizzlies’ four-game Week 20 consisting of two back-to-backs. He’ll have a higher ceiling in games where Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. aren’t available.

While he was responsible for five turnovers, Jackson’s overall stat line was a good one for most fantasy managers. He’s now reached double figures in nine straight games and has been close to a top-75 player since the All-Star break. Even though Jackson isn’t a center, Zach Edey (ankle) being ruled out for the rest of the season raises the third-year forward’s fantasy ceiling due to Memphis’s lack of healthy frontcourt players.

Anderson, who missed two games with a sore right knee, was not with the team for Wednesday’s loss to the Warriors for personal reasons. He’ll miss another game on Friday, further enhancing the fantasy value of GG Jackson and Taylor Hendricks. Jackson is the superior fantasy option of the two.

A starter in eight of Memphis’ last nine games, Jackson has been one of the Grizzlies’ most reliable fantasy options since the trade deadline. Rostered in 31 percent of Yahoo! leagues, he has provided seventh-round per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats, according to Basketball Monster. With it being unknown when, or if, Santi Aldama and Zach Edey will return from their injuries, now would be a good time to add Jackson if he’s sitting on the waiver wire.

Already dealing with a sore right knee, Anderson is also away from the Grizzlies for Wednesday’s game for personal reasons. With Jahmai Mashack (G League) also inactive, Memphis will continue to rely on Taylor Hendricks, GG Jackson and Olivier-Maxence Prosper in the frontcourt.