Starting Grizzlies center Steven Adams will likely miss Memphis’ entire postseason run, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Adams has been sidelined for Memphis since suffering a PCL sprain in his right knee in late January. Last month, he received a stem cell injection to treat the ailment and was ruled out for another four weeks.
As Tim MacMahon of ESPN notes, the Grizzlies initially expected Adams to miss three-to-five weeks with the injury.
Memphis had high expectations for the 29-year-old coming into the season, and accordingly had signed him to a two-year, $25.2MM extension during training camp. The 6’11” Adams had been an integral part of the Grizzlies’ defensive identity when healthy this season, averaging 8.6 PPG on 59.7% shooting from the field, 11.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.1 BPG and 0.9 SPG.
The Grizzlies will miss not only his rebounding acumen, impossible screens and defense around the rim, but also his solid play-making from out of the high post.
Memphis, the No. 2 seed in the West at 51-30, will need to lean more heavily on Adams’ backup, Xavier Tillman, who has performed ably in his stead. Across his 29 starts sans Adams, Tillman is averaging 9.7 PPG and 6.7 RPG.
Rookie two-way forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. is being elevated onto Memphis’ standard roster to help address the loss. The Grizzlies are also without key reserve big man Brandon Clarke for the 2023 postseason due to a torn left Achilles tendon.
its leover
Adams is a great locker room presence but other than the Nuggets of both reach the WCF they don’t really need Adams. He was getting ran off the floor in last seasons playoffs anyway.
The Grizz are gonna have a tough time… Too many bigs out and they aren’t the best small ball team in the west…
Too bad. The Griz are def gonna miss dad. They have one of the best defensive forwards in JJJ, but they might have some trouble getting to the finals without dad.
Grizz need his rebounding in most matchups, but I don’t think this changes their playoff fortunes too much.
La lakers will beat Memphis if AD keeps hot
Think this makes things alot harder for the grizzlies. A lot of their points came from Adams screening, Ja attacking the paint. Not to mention the offensive rebounds and physical work in the paint in defence.
Think things have all hit the fan in Memphis at little. First Ja with the gun and suspension, Brooks talking mad smack to everyone and pushing the camera man, now Adams out injured.
Don’t be surprised if this young team goes out in the first round. Boy am I going to love the hate they get too. They need to be humbled