Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke will miss the rest of the 2022/23 season after sustaining a torn left Achilles tendon, agent Mark Bartelstein tells ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
The Grizzlies have put out a statement (via Twitter) confirming the diagnosis and announcing that Clarke will be out indefinitely. He’s expected to make a full recovery, per the team.
It’s a brutal blow for Clarke, who exited Friday’s game vs. Denver in the first quarter due to a non-contact lower leg injury that was feared to be serious. It generally takes upwards of a year for an NBA player to return from an Achilles tear, so Clarke is unlikely to be ready to go by the time the ’23/24 season gets underway in the fall.
Clarke, who signed a four-year, $50MM contract extension with the Grizzlies last fall, was having another strong season, averaging 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 56 appearances (19.5 MPG) while shooting a career-high 65.6% from the field.
The 26-year-old has been an important part of Memphis’ frontcourt rotation along with Steven Adams, Jaren Jackson, and Santi Aldama. With Clarke sidelined, the Grizzlies may have to lean more heavily on reserves like David Roddy and Xavier Tillman. The team could look to free agency to fortify its front line, but doesn’t currently have an open spot on its 15-man roster.
It has been a day of bad news in Memphis, as the Clarke update comes shortly on the heels of an announcement that Ja Morant will miss at least the next two games while the NBA investigates a video that appeared to show him brandishing a gun at a strip club.
IMO
There are only 6 title conterders
Bucks
Celtics
76ers
Nuggets
Suns
Warriors
My co-workers add 2 —- Clippers and Lakers
Dallas could nab 3rd in the West. Not sure what they do in the playoffs with injuries, and all the variables, but the Warriors will have trouble getting past Dallas, and even the Griz if they meet.
I compare new look Mavs defense to Rockets
Sorry to upset you
Wood
Irving
Hardaway
Lakers? Are you serious? Why not the kings or if Pelicans get healthy?
If lol
Brutal weekend for the Grizz. First, Ja Morant is staying away for the next two games due to the NBA investigation, now this…
Ever since Ja said they were fine in the West … it’s just been one thing or another
Solid player. At least he has 50m extension.
just like Klay I don’t see him having a impact in 2024 at all so more like 2025.
Ja just had to say it, them being fine in the West.
The basketball gods were not pleased.
Just like how when Charles Barkley picks a team you know they will lose.
This is a big loss. He’s a big part of their rotation.
ken lofton jr. can play a few of those minutes.
I said this whole season, they needed a young bk center by trading Tillman and Roddy. Roddy is horrible