The Memphis Grizzlies have had season-ending injuries affect them throughout this era since drafting Ja Morant in 2019. Beginning with Morant's rookie season, Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered a torn meniscus in their third game in the bubble, which was followed by the Grizzlies losing the eighth seed to the Portland Trail Blazers and ultimately losing to them in the NBA's first-ever play-play-in game. In 2020
The Grizzlies' surprise rise to the number two seed season during the 2021 - 2022 season ended with Ja Morant suffering a knee injury in game 3 of their second-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors. Trailing 2-1 at the time, the Grizzlies lost two of the last three games to lose the series 4-2.
Their follow-up to that season ended in a first-round playoff series loss to the Los Angeles Lakers (4-2) in 2023. That series saw the Grizzlies enter without Brandon Clarke (torn Achilles) and Steven Adams (knee injury).
Those same injuries impacted the Grizzlies last season as Steven Adams was ruled out for the season just days before the regular season began. Brandon Clarke didn't return until March and only played six games as he recovered from the torn Achilles.
Then, Ja Morant suffered a torn labrum that ended his season after only playing nine games as the Grizzlies ended the season with a 27-55 record. Unfortunately, they couldn't avoid the same fate again this season, with a familiar player being sorely missed.
Brandon Clarke's impact is bigger than what his numbers suggest
While the Grizzlies fared better with a 13-7 record after Clarke's season-ending in 2023, he was missed in their series against the Lakers. The depth he provides in the frontcourt with rebounding and defensive switchability was missed then, just as it is now.
Clarke was ruled out for the season with a PCL sprain in his right knee on March 22nd. Including the game he was left with the injury on March 19th, the Grizzlies have gone 5-8 since his absence and the team is in the same frontcourt predicament they faced the last two seasons with him out.
Brandon Clarke averaged career lows across the board this season, but his impact was undeniable as he was a key component in the Grizzlies' closing lineup. It is also no coincidence that Jaren Jackson Jr. hasn't been as productive with Clarke out as their pairing in the frontcourt yielded the team's best results, especially on the defensive end.
The Grizzlies outscored opponents by 8.2 points per 100 possessions this season, according to the NBA's advanced stats tracking data, with Jackson Jr. and Clarke lineups. Also, their depth is depleted due to no one that can match his defensive versatility.
While their current season is on the ropes with a do-or-die game against the Dallas Mavericks for the eighth on April 18th, Clarke is expected to return by the start of next season. However, the Grizzlies will have to figure out how to contain the Mavericks' frontcourt trio without his services.