Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said on Friday that Dillon Brooks is expected to return for the team’s upcoming road trip, Tim MacMahon of ESPN tweets.
Brooks has been playing five-on-five as he recovers from a left ankle sprain that has sidelined him since January 8 — he has missed the past 26 games (27 including Friday’s contest vs. New York).
Memphis has three games next week, all on the road — March 13 at Oklahoma City, March 15 at Indiana, and March 18 at Atlanta. The Grizzlies finish out the road trip on Sunday, March 20, at Houston. Brooks could return at any point during the four-game stretch, depending on how he’s feeling.
The 26-year-old is in his fifth season in the NBA, all with Memphis. Through 21 games (28 minutes) this season, he’s averaging 18.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 steals on .426/.327/.889 shooting. Brooks is a strong, versatile defender and is known as a locker room leader.
Brooks has unfortunately been beset by a number of issues this season. First, he missed the team’s first 10 games while recovering from a fractured left hand that he suffered over the summer.
He was able to play for about a month-and-a-half, then he entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols at the end of December and missed six games. In just his second game back after clearing the protocols, he suffered the sprained ankle.
Brooks’ return will be a welcome boost for the ascendant Grizzlies, who currently hold a 45-22 record, good for the second seed in the West.
Free Jitty!