The bad injury news just keeps on coming for Grizzlies fans. Santi Aldama is set to undergo surgery to address ongoing discomfort in his right knee. Aldama had been out since the February 4 victory against the Sacramento Kings. He was set to return against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 3rd but was a late scratch right before tip-off.
Since being scratched before the Timberwolves matchup, Aldama still hasn't appeared in a game for the Grizzlies. The injury had felt mysterious due to the fact that it had been labeled as right knee injury management, and there wasn't really a concrete timetable for a return. Now, his season is set to be over, and it remains to be seen how long he will need to make a full recovery.
The @memgrizz today announced the following medical update for Santi Aldama: pic.twitter.com/F0oTP4QX71
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) March 15, 2026
The Grizzlies' frontcourt is still very shorthanded
The Grizzlies' frontcourt remains shorthanded following Zach Edey's season-ending surgery. Brandon Clarke is still recovering from a calf strain, and it remains to be seen when he returns, if at all. Even though maximizing draft position is the current priority, it would be beneficial for the Grizzlies' young guards to play with true centers.
After Lawson Lovering's deal expired, the Grizzlies have not been signing centers to their other 10-day contracts. Even though the hope would have been to have Aldama get some run to close out the season, the Grizzlies will likely spend the rest of the season with a shorthanded frontcourt.
Aldama was having a solid season
Last summer, Aldama signed a three-year, $52.5 million deal in the early hours of free agency to remain in Memphis. Even though there are many conflicting views about Aldama in the fanbase, his size paired with his offensive ability makes him a valuable player for the Grizzlies. Aldama was averaging a career-high 14 points while also adding 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
It is clear that the Grizzlies offense has suffered at times, especially with Aldama out. Even though Aldama is more of a power forward than a traditional center, it would've been beneficial to have his size. Aldama is a reliable shooter and also great in pick-and-roll, which is an essential skill in Tuomas Iisalo's offense.
The Grizzlies' roster will likely still undergo some significant movement this summer due to the start of their rebuild. However, Aldama showed before his injury that he was continuing to improve as a player, and he should remain a key piece for the Grizzlies. A timetable will be given after the procedure, but Santi Aldama is now the 4th Grizzlies player to undergo season-ending surgery.