When will the Memphis Grizzlies center return to the court?

Steven Adams’ injury was a devastating blow to the Memphis Grizzlies. They continue to fight for first place in the Western Conference, but they have a big void in their frontcourt.

During a game against the Phoenix Suns, Adams suffered a PCL strain. The Grizzlies later announced that the veteran center would miss three to five weeks to recover.

There have been no updates on Steven Adams’ injuries since the initial report. Outside of that time frame, the earliest he could be back on the court is February 15 against the Utah Jazz.

Before he was sidelined with an injury, Adams was one of the best rebounders in the NBA. He continues to lead the league in offensive rebounds per game (5.1) and is in the top five in rebounds per game (11.5).

In addition to being a force on the glass, Adams also found ways to be effective on offense. His 8.6 points per game are his most since the 2019 season.

Given that he is a key figure for the Grizzlies on both ends of the floor, they hope to get him back into the lineup as soon as possible.

How did Steven Adams’ injury affect the Memphis Grizzlies?

Steven Adams’ injury hurt the Memphis Grizzlies in a big way. They have struggled terribly since the 29-year-old big man was sent off.

In the six games Adams has missed, the Grizzlies are 1-5, with four of the losses coming by double digits.

As expected, the biggest area where Adams is lacking is on the glass. Before he got hurt, Memphis was among the top five rebounders in the NBA. In the last six games, they fell all the way to 25th place.

Steven Adams’ injury also affected the Grizzlies’ defense. With Adams on the field, they had the third highest defensive rating (110.2) in the league. Taylor Jenkins was forced to run a smaller lineup last week, and in that span their defensive rating dropped to 23rd (117.8).

Although Adams is just a role, he is a vital part of the Memphis Grizzlies. He anchors the defense, and his elite-level rebounding helps them on both ends.

In addition to being one of the best rebounders, Adams is also known for his screen setting skills. This is vital for Memphis because he can create space for Ja Morant to get downhill and attack the rim.

With just a two-game lead over the third-seeded Sacramento Kings, the Grizzlies have little margin for error before they start to fall in the standings.