Key Player Unexpectedly Ruled OUT for Grizzles vs. Pelicans

The Memphis Grizzlies are set to face the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night in their season opener, but they will be without one key player they were expecting to have. The Grizzlies announced on Tuesday that Santi Aldama suffered a mild right ankle sprain in practice, and is considered day-to-day.

Already very thin in their front court without Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke, the Grizzlies will have another key front court player out with the absence of Aldama. Facing a Pelicans team that has a lot of size, the Grizzlies will need a great defensive performance from Jaren Jackson Jr., the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

Without Ja Morant for the first 25 games, the Grizzlies cannot afford anymore injuries to key rotation players. Memphis did well to bring in some solid pieces this offseason, but that only matters if they are able to see their full unit on the floor for an extended stretch of games, even without Morant.

Once Morant returns, the Grizzlies feel they can compete with anybody. The absence of Adams certainly complicates this, but it's likely the Grizzlies address their center position with an external option at some point. For now, the Grizzlies are going into this season opener very shorthanded. The unexpected absence of Aldama is a tough blow, but the Grizzlies still have a talented group that is ready to compete.

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