Isaiah

Jackson

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 good to go after initially being questionable for Wednesday’s game. He’s recently come off the bench, with Brook Lopez moving into the starting lineup. That should remain the case against the Heat.

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.

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.

Jackson’s starting nod was expected to raise his fantasy ceiling, and he was productive Wednesday night. However, the Clippers’ center played just 15 minutes because of foul trouble. Backup Brook Lopez played 27 minutes, and that may not have happened if Jackson were able to stay on the court. Jackson is worth a look in 12-team leagues if he’s on the waiver wire, even with the foul trouble against Sacramento.

Dunn is good to go after missing most of the preseason with a minor injury, and he’ll start alongside Garland in the backcourt. Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said on Saturday that Jackson would start at center, so his inclusion is unsurprising. Garland and Hachimura should lead the starters offensively.

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.

Wednesday’s game was the Clippers’ last preseason game, so it’s fair to question how much of a “dress rehearsal” it was for Tyronn Lue’s team. Jackson started again and played 26 minutes, while veteran Brook Lopez (nine points, two rebounds, one assist and one three-pointer) logged eight minutes off the bench. If Jackson can lock down the starting job, his upside would make him worthy of late-round consideration in drafts. And even if he doesn’t start, the Clippers will be light on centers until Yanic Konan Niederhäuser is cleared to return from the foot injury that ended his 2025-26 season in March.