Key Grizzlies starter likely to miss entire postseason

Starting Grizzlies center Steven Adams is likely to miss Memphis’ entire postseason run, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Adams has been sidelined for Memphis since suffering a right knee PCL sprain in late January. Last month, he attempted to treat the ailment with a stem cell injection. The Grizzlies are also without key reserve big man Brandon Clarke for the 2023 postseason due to a torn left Achilles tendon.

Rookie two-way forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. is being elevated onto Memphis’ standard roster to address the loss, Woj adds.

The 6-foot-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.

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, $25.2M extension during training camp.

The Grizzlies will miss not only his rebounding acumen, impossible screens and defense around the rim, but also his solid playmaking 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.