Scotty Pippen Jr. Ruled Out Monday With Back Soreness

The Memphis Grizzlies are officially keeping Scotty Pippen Jr. on the shelf for Monday night’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans thanks to a lingering back issue.

If you feel like you are experiencing deja vu reading a Memphis injury update, you are not alone. The Grizzlies' medical reports are starting to read like a CVS receipt again, and we are barely into November.

"Underdog NBA reported: 'Scotty Pippen Jr. (back) ruled out Monday.'"

Pippen already sat out Saturday’s win over the Sacramento Kings with the same lower-back soreness. Now, the team is officially ruling him out rather than playing the questionable game right up until tipoff.

The backup point guard has been chipping in about 6.4 points and 2.2 assists per night. That might not swing a playoff series, but it is vital rotation depth for a guy who already lost 12 weeks last season to a left big toe surgery.

With Pippen in street clothes, the backup guard minutes have to go somewhere. Ty Jerome is active and available, meaning he is the obvious candidate to soak up the extra usage against the Pelicans.

Anyone looking at player props or fantasy lineups needs to adjust for Jerome stepping into that secondary ball-handler role. Memphis is going to need someone to run the offense when the starters need a breather.

For now, Pippen gets an extra day of rest. We will see if this is just standard early-season caution or if that back soreness is going to keep him in the trainer's room for the rest of the week.