Memphis Grizzlies vs New Orleans Pelicans: preview and player stats (Dec 21, 2026)

Injury/Illness - Left Ankle Injury Management (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Edey won't play in Friday's game against the Pelicans due to left ankle injury management. Edey will get the night off after appearing in eight straight games for the Grizzlies. Isaiah Stewart and Taylor Hendricks are next in line for minutes at center considering both Edey and Quinten Post (concussion) are listed out for Friday.

Injury/Illness - Lumbar Disc Herniation (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-10): Pippen (back) remains out for Wednesday's game against Denver, Michael Wallace of the Grizzlies' official site reports. With Pippen set to miss another game, Memphis will continue to operate without one of its backcourt reserves. He has now been sidelined for six straight contests due to the back issue and can be considered week-to-week until Memphis offers an update on his recovery. Cam Spencer remains worth streaming in most fantasy leagues.

Injury/Illness - Concussion Protocol (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Post (concussion) has been ruled out for Friday's game against New Orleans. Post will miss a second straight game while in the league's concussion protocol, and his next opportunity to play will come Saturday against Brooklyn. With Zach Edey (left ankle injury management) sitting out the front end of this back-to-back set, Isaiah Stewart will likely get the starting nod, while Taylor Hendricks figures to see increased burn off the bench.

G League - On Assignment (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP).

Injury/Illness - Right Knee Surgery (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-07): Saunders signed a two-way contract with the Grizzlies on Saturday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. Saunders is still on the mend from a torn right ACL that he suffered during his final year at BYU. However, he has been cleared for on-court activities and will be allowed to practice with the Grizzlies now that he's officially signed with the team.

G League - Two-Way (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP).

Injury/Illness - Bilateral Patellar Tendinopathy (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Murphy (knee) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game against the Grizzlies. Murphy is now in line to miss a third consecutive contest with a knee issue. Herbert Jones should continue to start for the Pelicans on Friday, but Saddiq Bey is likely to notice a larger bump in fantasy value.

Injury/Illness - Left Knee Contusion / Bone Bruise (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Missi (knee) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game against the Grizzlies. The doubtful tag is Missi's first since going down with a knee bone bruise in late October, signaling he's at least inching closer toward returning. Karlo Matkovic is in line for at least one more start at center for the Pelicans on Friday.

Injury/Illness - Left Elbow Infection (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): McGowens (elbow) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game against the Grizzlies. McGowens is expected to miss the first leg of this back-to-back set due to a left elbow infection. With Trey Murphy (knees) and Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) also doubtful to play, Jordan Poole, AJ Johnson and Herbert Jones are in line for increased burn.

Injury/Illness - Right Thumb Sprain (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Mathurin (thumb) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game against Memphis. Mathurin is expected to miss a second consecutive contest with a right thumb sprain. The Pelicans are also listing Trey Murphy (knees), Yves Missi (knee) and Bryce McGowens (elbow) as doubtful, so the team could be shorthanded in the front end of this back-to-back set. If Mathurin is ruled out, Jordan Poole and Herbert Jones would be candidates for increased minutes.

Injury/Illness - Right Ankle Sprain (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Watford (ankle) is listed as out for Friday's game against the Grizzlies. Friday marks a third consecutive absence for Watford, who has no timetable for a return with a sprained ankle. His absence solidifies DeAndre Jordan's spot in the center rotation.

G League - Two-Way (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP).

G League - Two-Way (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP).