The Memphis Grizzlies’ championship hopes are in shambles after news broke out that Steven Adams will miss the rest of the 2023-2024 season with a season-ending injury. Last season, Adams sprained his Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) in his right knee, which forced him to miss 40 games. Unfortunately, according to the Memphis Grizzlies, non-operative rehabilitation made no improvements on his injured PCL. However, two weeks ago, Adams was back in action. He played for 12 minutes in the preseason game against the Indiana Pacers where he posted 4 points and 5 rebounds as the starting center.
Breaking: Grizzlies center Steven Adams will undergo season-ending surgery on his right knee, particularly the PCL, the team announced.
He is expected to make a full recovery ahead of next season. pic.twitter.com/96jvpnWPuE
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 22, 2023
It was reported that Adams will be undergoing knee surgery and will be expected to recover by the 2024-2025 season.
“Steven Adams will undergo season-ending knee surgery on his right posterior cruciate ligament after non-operative rehabilitation did not resolve ongoing knee instability. Adams is expected to make a full recovery ahead of next season.” the Grizzlies PR said in an official statement via X.
The @memgrizz today provided the following medical update: pic.twitter.com/dQnm8jUp9s
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) October 22, 2023
Steven Adams’ season-ending injury and its effect on the Memphis Grizzlies’ championship hopes
The Grizzlies are undeniably one of the better squads in a stacked Western Conference. Although the Lakers, Suns, Warriors, and Nuggets have shown they’re the top teams to beat, Memphis is gracefully holding its own in the West. But, with Steven Adams out for the rest of the season, this could spell disaster for the whole organization and their pursuit of their first-ever NBA championship. Here are some negative effects of Steven Adams’ season-ending injury.
Steven Adams will greatly hurt Memphis, especially in the early part of the regular season
For starters, superstar point guard Ja Morant will be suspended for 25 games in the 2023-2024 season after numerous controversies earlier this year. Meanwhile, forward Brandon Clarke could miss a lot of games after tearing his Achilles back in March.
Now that Steven Adams will be out for the rest of the season, this is going to hurt the Grizzlies’ lineup even more. The team lost three great players already and they can’t afford to lose games in the first half of the 2023-2024 season if they’re looking to become contenders.
The Grizzlies will surely miss Adams’ tenacity in terms of rebounds and defense
Steven Adams is probably one of the best rebounders in the league. Last season, even though he only played 42 games due to an injury, Adams still managed to get 485 boards (ranked 23rd in the league) and average 11.5 rebounds per game.
According to the NBA, the Grizzlies were ranked the second-best rebounding team in the NBA (second in rebound percentage and offensive rebound percentage) before the New Zealand native got injured. After sitting out, Memphis immediately became one of the worst rebounding teams in the league. Adams isn’t just known for being a tenacious rebounder. The 30-year-old Kiwi is also a very reliable screen-setter and rim protector with 1.1 rejections a game. Indeed the Grizzlies have proven time and time again that they are the best defensive team, especially now with two former DPOYs on the same team (Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart), but losing Steven Adams will be a great blow to their defense.
Veteran presence in the locker room to boost morale
Not only is Adams an effective big man (a +243 plus-minus rating says it all), but he’s also one of the nicest guys in the league, on and off the court. He is loved by his team and is still very good friends with former teammate Russell Westbrook. Adams is allegedly a fun and kind man, which proves why he is a fan-favorite in the NBA.
This is the kind of veteran presence this young core needs. Derrick Rose could potentially be the mentor that Ja Morant requires, and Adams will be the perfect teacher to solidify Jaren Jackson Jr.’s game.
