The Memphis Grizzlies announced on Sunday that starting center Steven Adams will miss the entire NBA season due to surgery on the PCL in his knee he’s been having issues with since January. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN was one of many passing along the deflating news.
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1716130229637242977?s=20
Adams attempted the non-surgical approach, opting for rehab and hoping the issue would heal in that manner. But after playing in numerous preseason games for the Grizzlies, it seems that the medical team and Adams are not satisfied with the stability of the knee and how it has responded to this point.
Of course numerous questions come to mind in the wake of such a sizable loss. Why wasn’t this recognized sooner? Will Memphis make a move for another big man now that both Adams and Brandon Clarke will miss a sizable portion of their respective seasons? If they don’t, which player gets the biggest boost to their role?
There’s time for those questions to be answered. But for now, the Grizzlies are down their best true traditional big man – an elite rebounder and above average defender whose screening and under-appreciated passing helps this Memphis team so much. Sustaining during the absence of Ja Morant just got harder – and staying among the Western Conference’s elite just became less likely for the Grizzlies.
Stick with Bluff City Media for more analysis and information as the story unfolds and the season approaches.