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Beyond the Denver Nuggets, who locked up the top seed with weeks left in the regular season, nobody in the NBA‘s Western Conference has been able to separate itself from the pack.
Most of that fact can be attributed to injuries that have struck the conference’s perceived top teams.
The Golden State Warriors were without Steph Curry for long stretches. The Lakers have missed LeBron James and Anthony Davis for long stretches. Phoenix was without Kevin Durant and Devin Booker due to various ailments. The Clippers appear to have both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard on a pitch count.
And you can’t forget the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies opened eyes last season when they pushed the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semis prior to Ja Morant getting injured.
This season, the Grizz were without star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. to start the season. Morant has missed time with injuries and a plethora of off-court issues, and then there’s starting center Steven Adams.
In addition to being a great rebounds and screen setter, Adams is also a leader in the Memphis locker room. But now it appears that the Grizzlies will have to soldier on without him in the playoffs.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday that Adams is likely to miss the entire 2023 NBA postseason.
ESPN Sources: Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams is likely to miss the postseason with his injured right knee. Adams, who underwent a stem cell injection a month ago, has been out with a PCL sprain since late January. pic.twitter.com/VtMnKhlHFq
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 8, 2023
“ESPN Sources: Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams is likely to miss the postseason with his injured right knee. Adams, who underwent a stem cell injection a month ago, has been out with a PCL sprain since late January,” Wojnarowski said in a tweet.
The New Zealander has played in just 42 games for Memphis this season. But he’s averaging 8.6 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in those games. He’s a key cog in the machine for the Grizz and coach Taylor Jenkins. And without him, Memphis’ playoff odds just got a whole lot longer.