Memphis Grizzlies starting big man Steven Adams was back with the team for Game 3 vs Golden State after clearing Health & Safety Protocols for the first time since April 26 (Game 5 of the first round vs Minnesota).
There was considerable optimism among Grizzlies fans that the return of Steven Adams would help the team shore up their woeful rebounding and pitiful paint protection.
However, Steven Adams never saw the floor during Game 3 vs Golden State until garbage time— when both teams cleared their benches in the final minutes of the game.
Why did Memphis Grizzlies keep Steven Adams on the bench for Game 3?
During the post-game media availability, Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins answered a few questions from reporters about his decision not to utilize the NBA’s regular-season leader in offensive rebounding.
“I thought X played well last game,” Jenkins said. “Steven’s has been trending in a good direction. I thought X was good last game, so I kind of went off of that gut.”
In other words, Jenkins’ gut told him to keep going with Xavier Tillman, Sr. as the team’s starting big man.
The coach intended to keep going with Tillman and never really planned for Adams to play. One reporter asked if he came to that decision based on conditioning or just strictly basketball.
Jenkins confirmed it was “mostly” a basketball decision.
“As I said—X, I thought, played really well,” Jenkins said of Xavier Tillman Sr. “Obviously, we’ll watch the film and see, you know, if Steven’s ready and we’ll make the adjustment we need to going into Game 4.”
So Jenkins and his coaching staff will break down the six minutes of action Adams got before the final buzzer sounded in the 142-112 Game 3 loss and then make a decision from that of whether or not he should stay on the bench, play, or even start in Game 4 vs the Warriors.
Adams was productive during the small stretch of action in Game 3, recording 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Game 4 of this series is set to take place May 9 at 9:00 PM CT on TNT.