Luke Kennard to miss Game 6 with shoulder soreness.

The Memphis Grizzlies’ season is on the line Friday in Game 6 in Los Angeles. After being down 3-1 in the series, the Grizzlies clawed their way to a dub in Game 5 to bring the series to 3-2. If they can get all hands on deck, with everyone playing their own optimal brand of basketball, Memphis has a shot at sending this series to 7; it comes back to the Forum and all bets are off. I have to admit that after Game 5? With the way the Grizzlies played? This idea really didn’t seem like such a pipe dream…

…until the news dropped, hours before tip, that Luke Kennard would not suit up due to shoulder soreness.

All of sudden, we’re looking at a very realistic chance at tonight being the last Grizzlies’ game this season. There’s no way around it, the chance they have at advancing to the next round increases dramatically when Kennard plays, and decreases when he doesn’t. He’s been arguably one of the top three most impactful players acquired by a team this Trade Deadline; Luke’s fit this team like a glove.

Now Memphis truly seems on the verge of unlocking something dangerous after Game 5, and ‘Cool Hand’ Luke may end up being the catalyst that swings this series. He’s been the sixth leading scorer for the Grizzlies this postseason, and the best shooter they’ve had since the trade. After sporadic minutes using this lineup in the series, Coach Jenkins finally committed to the Morant/Bane/Kennard trio last contest. The results were massively successful.

Of the lineups deployed by the Grizzlies that have played a minimum of 35 minutes this postseason, this trio has the highest net rating and it’s not even close. The Ja/Des/Luke minutes boast an absurd 44.8 net rating. That’s 15.6 points higher than the next closest group on the roster. They’re also shooting the ball better (64.8 true shooting %) and running the floor faster (pace factor of 107.79). It’s been a combination the LeBron and the Lakers have had no answer for.

However, since he’s unable to go the Grizzlies’ options are thin as far as shooting goes. There’s Dillon Brooks, who is 2 for 9, 2 for 6, 1 for 5, 1 for 7, and 2 of 10, from deep in this series. Or there’s Tyus Jones currently shooting the ball at an 11.8% rate from deep this playoffs. Memphis may be in trouble since with him out, this what they’re working with.

With ‘Nardo’ out of the lineup, the Grizzlies face a tough challenge away from home court. The longer the series goes, the more the advantage leans Memphis’ direction, so they need that extra game. Luke Kennard not playing tonight though? That makes extending the series seem out of the question, with Game 7 a significantly smaller shot. The season is on the line, and it’s a bummer Kennard isn’t playing. Plain and simple.