Grizzlies forward Karim Lopez was listed as cleared on Tuesday's injury report after three days on it with a right knee issue. That puts him in line for Thursday's game at Portland, though Memphis has not announced a minutes plan.
What happened
Karim Lopez was listed as cleared on the official injury report at 1:37 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 27. He had been listed as day-to-day. The report gave no detail and no comment with the change. The update ends a short stretch tied to his right knee. He was first listed day-to-day with the knee on Sunday, Oct. 25, moved to out the same day and went back to day-to-day on Monday, Oct. 26. Lopez, 19, was also on the report earlier this fall. He was listed day-to-day with an undisclosed issue on Sept. 6 and was cleared on Oct. 5.
What it means for the Grizzlies
Memphis plays next at Portland on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 10 p.m. ET. The Grizzlies are 4-0, have won four straight and hold the third seed. They have done all of it without Lopez, who has not played this season, so he has no season numbers yet. In those four games Ty Jerome has led the team at 29.8 points in 31.3 minutes. Cameron Boozer has played 33.1 minutes a night and scored 15.3 points. Cedric Coward has averaged 30.5 minutes and 12.7 points, Jaylen Wells 28.9 and 14.8, and Jerami Grant 24.1 and 9.8. Zach Edey (21.4 minutes), Isaiah Stewart (18.1) and Quinten Post (17.1) round out the rotation.
What to watch
The next injury report before Thursday will show whether Lopez stays clear. Memphis has not announced a return plan or a minutes limit. The game at Portland on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 10 p.m. ET is next on the schedule and his first chance to make his season debut. Watch how much he plays with a rotation that has started the season 4-0, and whether his right knee shows up on the report again.
Is Karim Lopez playing at the Trail Blazers on Thursday?
He is listed as cleared on the latest injury report, issued Tuesday, Oct. 27, ahead of Thursday's 10 p.m. ET game at Portland. Memphis has not announced whether he will play or how many minutes he will get.
When will Karim Lopez be back?
He was cleared on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Before that he was listed out on Oct. 25 and day-to-day on Oct. 26 with a right knee issue. He has not played yet this season, and the date of his debut has not been announced.