Grizzlies center Steven Adams had a stem cell injection on Wednesday as part of his treatment for a PCL sprain in his right knee, the team announced (via Twitter). His condition will be reevaluated in about four weeks.
Adams hasn’t played since January 22, but there had been hope that he was nearing a return. He was doing 5-on-5 work in practice in late February, and coach Taylor Jenkins floated the possibility that he might be able to play on the team’s recent road trip, which wrapped up Tuesday.
With a month left in the regular season, it’s almost certain that Adams won’t be back before the playoffs. His availability for the postseason will depend on how his knee responds to the latest treatment.
The news on Adams continues a brutal week for the Grizzlies, who saw Ja Morant step away from the team for an indefinite time following a gun-related incident over the weekend and learned that Brandon Clarke will be lost for the season with a torn Achilles. That means Memphis, which has fallen into third place in the West after three straight losses, will have to finish the season without two of its frontcourt rotation players.
The Grizzlies’ recent downturn began after Adams suffered his injury. He’s averaging 8.6 points and 11.5 rebounds in 42 games and brings a physical presence in the middle that has been missed.
The 29-year-old agreed to a two-year extension before the start of the season and is under contract through 2024/25.
Another massive blow to Memphis. Will they be able to get out of the 1st round of the playoffs without Steven Adams?
If you watched last yrs playoffs then you should already know the answer is yes
No Adams and no Clarke make that a lot harder. I’m all for being frugal, cost control and getting young players to but Roddy for Deanthony Melton isn’t something that will pay dividends for years.
So no Melton, Adams or Clarke. That’s tough.
They have a losing record without Adams, and that was with Clarke still around.
Adams is the secret sauce to Memphis success. He does all types of things on both ends of the floor that don’t show up on the stat sheet that produce wins. The team really doesn’t change much when Ja Morant is out. They play the same way, and the points just get distributed elsewhere. However, they take a step backwards in a big way without Adams.
What do you mean Roddy and their other pick are great lol
Roddy and Danny Green for Deanthony Melton were basically traded for each other last summer.
Melton had 2 years on his deal left. In those 2 years years he will have twice the WAR that Roddy will over his whole 4 year rookie deal.
Adams didn’t play much for matchup purposes. He’s a role player, but a highly effective one.
Memphis should tank the rest of the way… Too many injuries and a head case as a leader to deal with…
I agree. Let Anderson go, draft two bums, Jjj injured, Bane injured, Morant drama, Adams injury and traded Danny green. If zhaire Williams isn’t the answer at SF then find another one. Also find a young defensive center back up.