Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke will be sidelined for the remainder of the season after he suffered a torn Achilles, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports reported to ESPN on Saturday. The 26-year-old player’s injury is the latest in a series of setbacks for the struggling Grizzlies team.
Clarke incurred his injury during the final few seconds of the first quarter of the Grizzlies’ 97-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets. He fell after missing a free throw, picking himself up and limping following his collapse. He was subsequently escorted to the locker room after proving unable to shift weight onto his left leg.
Labeled an “emotional” and “extremely tough” injury by his teammates, Clarke’s absence will be a major setback for the Grizzlies, with the team placing much importance on his impact from the bench. Clarke has averaged 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season.
In addition to Clarke’s injury, the Grizzlies will need to navigate a one-game ban that was handed to Dillon Brooks during the loss to the Nuggets. Brooks was handed the suspension due to making his 16th technical foul of the season.
