Breaking: Grizzlies Lose Entire Big Man Rotation All at Once

In a stunning triple dose of bad news, the Memphis Grizzlies have lost all three members of their big man rotation for a significant period to start the season.

First came the news that center/power forward Brandon Clarke will be undergoing a knee procedure that will keep him out for at least a month and a half...

Memphis Grizzlies F/C Brandon Clarke will undergo a procedure to address knee synovitis and is expected to be re-evaluated in 6 weeks, sources tell ESPN. Clarke missed tail end of the 2024-25 season with a PCL sprain, which has fully healed. He's expected to make a full recovery. pic.twitter.com/f3T8qAxJGD
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 26, 2025

He'll be reevaluated after six weeks, which will keep him out until at least mid-November.

Then, just minutes later on Friday afternoon, the team announced that both power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. and center Zach Edey will also miss the start of the season.

In Jackson's case, he's dealing with a toe injury that will keep him out four-to-six weeks. That would put his return at near the end of October or by mid-November. He could miss anywhere from three to 13 games to start the season.

For the 7'4" sophomore Edey, his return will take much longer. Six to nine weeks for an ankle injury means mid-November is a best-case scenario, but potentially into December before he's back.

Promising big man Santi Aldama will get a chance to play some big minutes as the most legit frontcourt option at the four or five that Memphis has now going into the season. Last year, in his 4th season, he set career highs with 12.5 points per game and 6.4 boards while shooting 36.8% from long range.

Newly-acquired backup center Jock Landale will have to take on a bigger role than expected as well to start the year.