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Despite the rocky circumstances, the Grizzlies are as healthy as they’ve been all season. The core of Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane remains intact. Aside from veteran forward Brandon Clarke, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last month, much of the supporting cast that once formed the NBA’s most productive bench is still there. To that end, the Grizzlies still have as many things potentially going for them as they have counting against them. Ultimately, taking the most important inventory starts from within. “There’s no real time to think,” Jackson said in reference to the digital screen inside the locker room that updates the conference standings each night. “We’ve got to have that urgency. The board is right there. I can see it on the way in and out every day.”
Drew Hill: Brandon Clarke will not need knee surgery, per the Grizzlies. Knees are tricky, obviously. There's probably some worry from Grizzlies fans after what happened after Steven Adam's knee sprain & surgery. My understanding is that Clarke's knee injury is not as severe as Adams'.
Drew Hill: BC and Vince are out tonight.
Memphis has shown some cards around the league that it is looking into consolidation trades, as evidenced by the team's recent efforts to ship Luke Kennard and John Konchar to Brooklyn for Dorian Finney-Smith. But that would have been a much smaller deal than adding Marcus Smart or Brandon Clarke to the package as would be required for Butler. Smart and Clarke both rank as players Memphis values quite highly, sources said.
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Michael Wallace: Grizzlies injury report grows to with LaRavia (ankle) and Clarke (knee) ruled OUT. LaRavia injured ankle late in loss to OKC, Clarke entered questionable but was ruled out with knee soreness. Now no longer in doubt vs Suns on Tuesday.
It's not just Tatum who has had success against the Grizzlies. Boston has won six straight and 16 of 17 games against Memphis dating back to 2016. The one Grizzlies win came in an overtime matchup in 2021. Bane, Brandon Clarke and Ja Morant played in that game. Jaren Jackson Jr. was injured and John Konchar did not play due to a coach's decision. That was Bane's rookie season. In other words, a long time. "I need it," Bane said of beating the Celtics.
Michael Scotto: Grizzlies signed Luke Kennard to a one-year deal worth $9.25 million guaranteed, which can become $10.64 million if he hits unlikely bonuses, sources told @hoopshype. Memphis is now narrowly below the luxury tax, pending bonuses earned by Kennard, Desmond Bane and Brandon Clarke.
Drew Hill: Brandon Clarke said it was a long year for some players last season. They weren’t used to losing. But he thinks that the spirit of the team is in a good place, which sets up to get back to how they played (and won) before.
Drew Hill: Brandon Clarke on not playing for Canada in the Olympics: “It’s tough for me. I have to work on my rehab still. I’m still working on my calf rehab. I haven’t had the summer that I wanted the past couple of summers. “There might be a time that I can play in the future. But as of right now, my time is best spent doing my own thing and getting ready for the season.”
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Paul Garcia: “It's tough. He's a really good defender. His build is crazy. There’s no one else I've played with that build. He’s very, very good offensively, too. He's very talented.” - Brandon Clarke on facing Wemby for the first time
Damichael Cole: Signing Timmy Allen gives the Grizzlies the league’s minimum of having 8 active players today. Memphis also had 8 players yesterday, but Jake LaRavia and Lamar Stevens won’t play today. Brandon Clarke being active after missing yesterday and adding Allen gives Memphis eight.
Damichael Cole: Taylor Jenkins: “Welcome back, BC.” Brandon Clarke will officially go tonight.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke -- out for nearly a year with a left Achilles tear -- is on the cusp of returning to the lineup.
Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke -- out for nearly a year with a left Achilles tear -- is on the cusp of returning to the lineup. https://t.co/WOfDy9tGNJ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 26, 2024
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