Grizzlies sharpshooter Luke Kennard will miss Friday’s pivotal Game 6 against the Lakers due to left shoulder soreness, the team announced (via Twitter).
The veteran guard had been listed as questionable, though he didn’t take any shots while media members were present during Friday’s shootaround, tweets Tim MacMahon of ESPN. Head coach Taylor Jenkins later said Kennard was “still dealing with some soreness” and was a game-time decision, but obviously he has now been ruled out (Twitter link via Mirjam Swanson of The Southern California News Group).
It’s a big loss for Memphis. Kennard, who led the league in three-point percentage (49.4%) for the second consecutive season, sustained a stinger in Wednesday’s Game 5 and exited the contest early. He initially sounded optimistic about his chances of playing tonight.
The 26-year-old’s counting stats through five games in the first-round series are modest: 7.2 points and 4.0 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game. However, he’s shooting 50% from deep, and the attention he draws has been key for the Grizzlies — they’re plus-16.7 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the court, versus minus-12.8 when he’s off, per NBA.com.
As Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal writes, Dillon Brooks, Tyus Jones, John Konchar and David Roddy — who have all been struggling behind the arc — could be candidates for more playing time with Kennard sidelined. Jenkins also said Ziaire Williams may receive a look, according to Cole, though the second-year wing has played just two total minutes in the series.
We’re so f*cked
Sorry bro, I’m slso as disappointed just as a hoops fan. Even in Detroit this guy was always nicked up.
Dude still has his Clippers mentality in his gym bag. Shoulder soreness? You’d figure a guy would have to have his arm ripped off to not play in the most critical game of the season.
It’s almost like LeBron James paid him not to play…hmm
When they want it bad enough champions find a way to win. He might not have the same athleticism, but he has money now…his greatest asset.
lil bozo with a childish conspiracy…shocking.
Childish, huh? Guess you’ve never heard of Home Alone. Look what that kid was able to do? Don’t you dare look down on me.
*looks down*
So that’s why they lost by 40?