What the rotation will look like once Dillon Brooks returns from injury?

The Memphis Grizzlies have been without Dillon Brooks, the heart and soul of the team, since he sustained a gnarly ankle injury during the Jan. 8 game at the LA Clippers.

Since that game, the team has amassed a record of 19-8, picking up several tough wins in his absence.

Overall, the team is 32-14 this season when Dillon Brooks doesn’t play, according to Stat Muse. Most will remember Brooks missed the first few weeks of the season while recovering from an offseason injury. His first game this season was Nov. 10.

Grizzlies fans got some great news March 10 when, for the first time since Jan. 8, Brooks was listed on the team’s injury report with a designation other than “out.”

Memphis Grizzlies star Dillon Brooks return from injury appears imminent

The team released the injury report March 10, a day in which the Grizzlies did not play, and listed Dillon Brooks as “doubtful” in the March 11 game vs the New York Knicks.

It’s the first bit of good news we’ve heard regarding Brooks in months, especially since his return was pushed back several weeks after he had a setback during his recovery.

Ja Morant even tweeted out his excitement for the return of Dillon “The Villain.”

https://twitter.com/JaMorant/status/1502075050039644160?s=20&t=_aTO74a3i6XJjKbK7DrkUA

Brooks’ designation as being doubtful means he could be upgraded to questionable very soon, perhaps as soon as the game against the Knicks March 11.

When Brooks returns, you can expect the Grizzlies to go back to the line-up they used before he was injured

• Ja Morant
• Desmond Bane
• Dillon Brooks
• Jaren Jackson Jr.
• Steven Adams

It is possible that Head Coach Taylor Jenkins brings him off the bench initially. In which case, the Grizzlies will continue starting Ziaire Williams until Brooks gets his legs under him.

Expect Jenkins to ease Brooks back in to the swing of things. He may play a dozen or so total minutes until the coaching staff is comfortable with him playing 30+ minutes in a game.

Grizzlies fans should remain patient, but it looks like the return of Brooks is right around the corner.