Brandon Clarke will miss the remainder of the season due to a “high-grade PCL sprain in his right knee,” the Grizzlies announced (via Twitter).
The 28-year-old power forward/center was injured on a hard fall during Wednesday’s game at Portland. He didn’t return after leaving the game late in the first quarter and was held out of Friday’s contest. The Grizzlies add that more information will be provided “after a treatment plan and timeline are set.”
That leaves Memphis without an important component of its frontcourt depth for the stretch run and the playoffs. Clarke appeared in 64 games this season, making 18 starts and averaging 8.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per night while shooting 62.1% from the floor.
It was a bounce-back season for Clarke, who was limited to six games a year ago due to an Achilles tear. While the team didn’t offer any specifics, this injury sounds far less severe and shouldn’t affect his availability for training camp this fall.
With three straight losses, the Grizzlies have slipped into fifth place in the West at 43-28. They’re facing a tight battle to hold off the Warriors (41-29), Clippers (40-30) and Timberwolves (41-31) to claim one of the six automatic playoff spots.
Clarke has two full seasons remaining on his four-year, $50MM contract. He’ll make $12.5MM in 2025/26 and again in 2026/27.
That sucks. Both for him and the Grizzlies. He is such a solid role player. Boo to injuries.
Bummer.
soft
Dumb.
If that’s the case try eating something besides lunchables and code red…
They must be confident they can stay top 6. They are on a bit of a slide with some tough games ahead. I think he will play in post season though.
Doesn’t remainder of season imply regular season and playoffs? And considering it’s a high-grade sprain, that would seem to track.
It depends, because in the NFL they have said players will miss regular season or remainder with chance of return for post season.
It likely depends on how far they go.
Ouch !!!! this messes it all up.
It happens all the time in sports. Someone goes down and it changes everything. And it still hurst all the time. You never think it can happen ti your team. Then it does. Bench to rescue ……