MEMPHIS, Tenn — The Grizzlies are two days away from opening night against the New Orleans Pelicans, but they prepare for the season without the services of center, Steven Adams.
The team announced Sunday that Adams will have surgery on the right knee he injured in January and miss the entire 2023 season. Officially its the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee.
At practice Monday, Adams' teammates reaction to the news was simply sadness.
"Was sad for sure. That's my brother, plain and simple. I was sad. I felt bad," said Jaren Jackson Jr. "You never want to see injuries in the sport. It was on my team so I know how hard he worked to get his body where he was supposed to be and how badly he wants to play so sad for sure."
Adams was projected to be the starting center. He averaged 8.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in 2023.
"He's been a cornerstone for this team. Someone they can lean on and depend on. Taking a blow like that is definitely tough. We're right there with him. We're supporting him. We understand it. We just want him to do what he has to to get better." said Marcus Smart.
There were questions as to why Adams didn't opt for surgery sooner. He injured it on the final play of a Grizzlies loss to the Phoenix Suns in January. He was given a stem cell injection and opted for rehab during the summer offseason.
The team says their leading rebounder wanted to be on the floor both in the playoffs and during the 2023 season.
"Meeting with all the doctors and the experts and being on the same page that, ‘hey, we can go the non-operative route,’" said head coach Taylor Jenkins. "There was hopes he would come back to finish the season. When that wasn't the case it was more of ok if he had had surgery back in the spring he probably would have missed all of this season as well."