Walter

Clayton

Clayton will miss a second straight game. On Friday, Lucas Williamson and Jahmai Mashack each played 48 minutes. Expect more strange rotations for Memphis in this one, with Williamson and Mashack likely filling all the backcourt minutes. As for Clayton, the 2025 first-rounder came over to Memphis in the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade and could figure in Memphis’ rotation in 2026-27 if Ja Morant is dealt this offseason. He has some conditional fantasy value, but he’s going to need to shoot better than 38.4 percent to be a major cog going forward.

While Clayton and Prosper did not play in Friday’s loss to the Jazz, Bal started and logged 38 minutes. Getting Clayton and Prosper back on Sunday would do wonders for the Grizzlies, who played just six players due to injuries. Lucas Williamson and Jahmai Mashack played all 48 minutes on Friday.

Clayton will be unavailable for this game, which will leave Memphis quite thin at point guard. Javon Small should get the starting nod and play significant minutes with Cam Spencer and Ty Jerome out as well.

Clayton’s lingering hip issue has him back on the Grizzlies’ injury report. If he can play on Friday, the rookie will likely start at point guard, as Cam Spencer and Ty Jerome are out and Javon Small is listed as questionable.

Clayton’s stretch of productive games continued on Wednesday. He scored the ball well in his 22 minutes and showcased a little bit of playmaking ability in the process. While the rookie guard didn’t have a dominant line, his 15 points marked the fifth straight game he’s finished with double-digit points. The Grizzlies play two more games before their season concludes; Clayton could remain in a featured role the rest of the way.

After logging 21 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Cavaliers, Spencer is back on the sidelines for Wednesday’s game. Walter Clayton Jr., who played 25 minutes off the bench, should return to the starting lineup.

Williamson, who is on a 10-day contract, will get the first start of his career. Coward, Jackson and Spencer will be back in the starting unit after missing Sunday’s game. Walter Clayton Jr. and Toby Okani will be pushed back to the bench, while Taylor Hendricks and Rayan Rupert, who started on Sunday, will be sidelined for this game.

Despite the Grizzlies being down multiple point guards due to injury, Clayton logged 25 minutes in Milwaukee. He missed Friday’s loss to the Raptors due to illness, which may have affected the rookie’s playing time. However, Clayton played well in his time on the floor, shooting 4-of-6 from three and making more than 50 percent of his shots overall. The Grizzlies play four games in Week 24 without a back-to-back; we’ll see who’s available.

Clayton is back after missing Friday’s loss to the Raptors, and he will start. Also in the lineup is Okani, making his first start as an NBA player, and Prosper, who steps in for GG Jackson.

Clayton is good to go after sitting out Friday’s loss to the Raptors. With Javon Small, Ty Jerome and Cam Spencer all out, the rookie is likely to move into the starting lineup.