Grizzlies' Zach Randolph: Expected to return Tuesday vs. Sixers

Randolph (personal) is expected to play Tuesday against the 76ers, Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com reports.

Analysis:

After Randolph's mother passed away on Thanksgiving Day, the veteran forward had been away from the Grizzlies for the previous seven contests, leaving the injury-riddled roster quite shorthanded. Randolph's return will give the team 11 available players for Tuesday's tilt, with young bench bigs Jarell Martin and Deyonta Davis most at risk of losing minutes as a result. Since he's had limited on-court activity over the last two weeks, Randolph may not be asked to log major playing time in his first game back, but he should still represent one of the Grizzlies' go-to scoring options off the bench. Formal confirmation on Randolph's availability should be announced closer to tip off.