13 Apr 2023

Grizzlies lament loss of Adams for NBA play-offs

11:09 am on 13 April 2023
Steven Adams #4 of the Memphis Grizzlies posts up against P.J. Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first period of their game at Spectrum Center on October 07, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Photo: 2021 Getty Images

Any hopes Steven Adams had of making the NBA playoffs for the Memphis Grizzlies have been all but extinguished by coach Taylor Jenkins.

The 29 year old New Zealander has been sidelined with a knee injury since January and while he's taken a limited part in training recently but Jenkins doubts he'll be part of the post season.

"It's pretty confirmed he's most likely out for the playoffs," said Jenkins.

"It's been an ongoing process the last couple of weeks."

"I think there's more dialogue still this week with doctors involved. We want to make sure Steven is in a good place [with] the decisions that are made, that he's confident and that our medical team are confident.

"Unfortunately he's unlikely for the playoffs, but we don't have the next steps right now," he said.

Memphis Grizzles center Steven Adams.

Steven Adams. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Adams, has missed 35 straight games since spraining his right posterior cruciate ligament in a 112-10 loss to Phoenix on January 22nd and had initially been expected to miss little more than a month of play.

The Grizzlies lost six of the first seven games without their starting centre, but despite the ensuing suspension of star Ja Morant they continued well enough to win 51 games and lock in the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

-RNZ