The Memphis Grizzlies will be without their starting center Steven Adams once the NBA postseason tips off. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Adams is dealing with a right knee and won’t be able to return to help the Grizzlies for their playoff push.
Adams was diagnosed with a PCL sprain in January and was initially set to miss around five weeks. However, the rehab process didn’t go as planned, and he suffered a setback in March that required him to have stem-cell injections. The Grizzlies remained hopeful they would have the 29-year-old big man back for the postseason, but he obviously didn’t make enough progress for that to happen.
Adams started 42 games for Memphis before the injury, averaging 8.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. He signed a two-year, $25 million extension with the Grizzlies last year and is now under contract with the franchise through the 2024-25 NBA season.
In Adams’ absence, the Grizzlies turned to Xavier Tillman Sr. as their primary big. The former second-round pick played well, averaging 9.7 points and grabbing 6.7 boards in the 29 games he started. However, Memphis’ team defense suffered as a result, sliding from the top spot to No. 8 in the league.
