Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Returning to bench Wednesday
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Aldama will join the second unit for Wednesday's game against Brooklyn.
Aldama exits the starting lineup with Ja Morant (thigh) returning to action. Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart will start alongside Jaren Jackson and Zach Edey as the Grizzlies return to health.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Posts double-double
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Aldama accumulated 11 points (5-13 FG, 1-5 3Pt), 13 rebounds, seven assists and one block across 35 minutes during Monday's 126-123 loss to the Bulls.
Aldama didn't have his best shooting performance Monday, but the lack of efficiency is secondary given how good he looked on both ends of the court. Aldama finished just three assists away from recording a triple-double, and even though he's expected to head back to a bench role when Ja Morant (thigh) returns, Aldama should remain valuable in fantasy as long as he sees enough minutes due to his ability to contribute in multiple ways.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Back in starting five Monday
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Aldama will enter the starting lineup in Monday's matchup against the Bulls.
With Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane starting in the backcourt sans Ja Morant (thigh), Aldama will start at small forward. The 23-year-old has carved out a significant role with Memphis this season, and through three regular-season games he is averaging 17.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 63.3 percent from the floor across 27.0 minutes per game.
Aldama closed with 22 points (9-12 FG, 4-6 3Pt), seven rebounds, five assists and one block over 28 minutes during Saturday's 124-111 win over the Magic.
The 23-year-old scored a team-high 22 points while leading all scorers in the game besides Franz Wagner (23). Aldama has carved out a significant role with Memphis, and he even started the first two games when Jaren Jackson was out due to a hamstring injury. Aldama moved back to the bench Saturday, though it didn't prevent him from proving he could be a key depth piece for the Grizzlies.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Not starting Saturday
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Aldama is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Magic.
Aldama heads to the bench due to the return of Jaren Jackson, who missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury. However, Aldama should see consistent minutes off the bench given how good he looked when given extended playing time.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Leads team in scoring
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Aldama posted 27 points (10-16 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds and two assists in 31 minutes during Wednesday's 126-124 win over Utah.
Aldama got the starting nod in Memphis' regular-season opener with Jaren Jackson (hamstring) out. Aldama repaid coach Taylor Jenkins' faith by leading the team in scoring during Wednesday's narrow victory. Aldama shot 34.9 percent on 5.0 three-point attempts per contest last season and is more than capable of providing spacing for Ja Morant to attack the rim.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Likely to start in opener
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Aldama is expected to start in place of Jaren Jackson (hamstring) at power forward in Wednesday's season opener versus the Jazz, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Jackson has been tending to what head coach Taylor Jenkins has referred to as a "low-grade hamstring strain" since the Grizzlies' first preseason practice, and though the standout big man is progressing well, he'll need to take part in more 5-on-5 work this week until Memphis signs off on him making his debut. With Jackson out for Wednesday and likely Friday against the Rockets in the front end of a back-to-back set, Aldama looks to be the next man up to join the second unit. Aldama should provide the Grizzlies with a floor-stretching element in the frontcourt next to rookie center Zach Edey, while Brandon Clarke should be the first big man off the bench and could serve as the top backup at both power forward and center. Aldama could have a fairly clear path to a 25-plus-minute role while Jackson is sidelined, but look for Aldama's playing time to tail off considerably once Jackson is ready to make his 2024-25 debut.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Strong finish to preseason
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Aldama logged 19 points (6-11 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds and two assists over 23 minutes during Friday's 114-109 preseason loss to Miami.
Aldama co-led the Grizzlies in scoring Friday with Desmond Bane, and Aldama tied with Zach Edey for second-most rebounds behind Ja Morant (eight). Aldama saw an extended look during the preseason while Jaren Jackson (hamstring) was sidelined, and the former could start in some games during the 2024-25 regular season if the latter is unable to play.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Returns to starting lineup
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Aldama will start Monday's preseason game against the Pacers, Michael Wallace of the Grizzlies' official site reports.
Aldama returns to the starting lineup after Jake LaRavia took his spot Saturday in Chicago. With Jaren Jackson's (hamstring) status for the start of the regular season in question, Aldama has a clear path to consistent playing time.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Not in starting lineup Saturday
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Aldama is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's preseason game against the Bulls.
The Grizzlies are tweaking their starting lineup for this preseason contest, and Aldama will make way for Jake LaRavia, who has been one of Memphis' standout performers in camp over the last few weeks.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Scores 11 points vs. Dallas
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Aldama finished Monday's 121-116 preseason win over the Mavericks with 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt), eight rebounds, three assists and one steal across 19 minutes.
Aldama was inserted into the starting lineup Monday due to Jaren Jackson (hamstring) and Vince Williams (lower leg) dealing with injuries. Aldama started 35 of 61 games during the 2023-24 regular season, averaging 10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.9 blocks across 26.5 minutes. The 2021 first-round pick will likely begin the upcoming season in a reserve role behind Jackson and rookie center Zach Edey.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Projected to start Monday
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Aldama is expected to be in the starting lineup for Monday's preseason game against Dallas, Michael Wallace of the Grizzlies' official site reports.
Aldama will enter the starting lineup Monday due to Jaren Jackson (hamstring) and Vince Williams (lower leg) dealing with injuries. Aldama will join the starting five of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart and rookie first-round pick Zach Edey.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Leads team in rebounding
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Aldama recorded seven points (2-8 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 25 minutes for Spain during Friday's 88-85 loss to Canada in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Aldama struggled with his outside shot during Friday's loss but still managed to lead Spain in minutes, rebounds and blocks. Across his three appearances in the Olympics, Aldama averaged 17.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 blocks in 28.3 minutes.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Game-high 27 points in loss
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Aldama tallied 27 points (6-12 FG, 6-8 3Pt, 9-10 FT), five rebounds and two steals across 30 minutes in Spain's 92-80 loss to Australia in the Paris Olympics on Saturday.
Aldama came out firing against Australia, and he converted a game-high six threes in Saturday's loss. The 23-year-old is the only player for Spain currently on an NBA roster, and he proved his position as the top option in Spain's offense in their opening matchup of the group phase. The squad still has yet to play Canada and Greece in a stacked Group A, and Aldama will likely continue to serve as the focal point of the offense moving forward.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Ruled out for Sunday
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Aldama (foot) is out for Sunday's game against the Nuggets.
Aldama will end the season on the sidelines, though that's not surprising given the Grizzlies essentially decided to shut down most of their roster in the final two weeks of the campaign. Aldama will end the 2023-24 season with averages of 10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists across 26.5 minutes per game.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Won't play Friday
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Aldama (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Lakers.
Aldama will miss a sixth consecutive game as he continues to deal with a right foot strain. His final chance to suit up during the regular season will be Sunday against the Nuggets.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Remains out for Wednesday's game
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Aldama (foot) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers.
Aldama continues to deal with a right foot strain, and he'll be unavailable for a fifth consecutive game. He'll have just two more chances to suit up before the end of the regular season, with his next opportunity coming Friday against the Lakers.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Unavailable Tuesday
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Aldama (foot) will be inactive for Tuesday's game against San Antonio.
Aldama will miss his fourth consecutive contest due to a right foot strain. The Grizzlies' frontcourt is currently populated by GG Jackson, Brandon Clarke and Maozinha Pereira, while Lamar Stevens (groin) is doubtful for Tuesday's contest.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Out again versus 76ers
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Aldama (foot) will remain sidelined for Saturday's tilt against the 76ers.
Aldama's absence will mark his third straight, as he continues to deal with right foot soreness. The big man's next opportunity to suit up will come Tuesday versus the Spurs.
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Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Won't play Friday
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Aldama (foot) won't play Friday against the Pistons.
Aldama was a late scratch before Wednesday's surprising win over the Bucks due to right foot soreness, and the lingering issue will prevent him from suiting up Friday. The third-year power forward is averaging 12.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game since the beginning of March.