{"id":255529,"date":"2023-01-25T09:24:08","date_gmt":"2023-01-25T15:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=255529"},"modified":"2023-01-25T12:59:00","modified_gmt":"2023-01-25T18:59:00","slug":"memphis-grizzlies-center-steven-adams-knee-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/memphis-grizzlies-center-steven-adams-knee-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Memphis Grizzlies Center Steven Adams, NBA’s Top Offensive Rebounder, Out 3-5 Weeks"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Memphis Grizzlies incurred a huge blow when center Steven Adams sustained a right knee injury over the weekend, and they’ll lose the NBA’s best offensive rebounder for multiple weeks.<\/p>\n

\"Steven
Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams dunks after snatching an offensive rebound at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. (Image: USA Today Sports<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Adams went down with the injury on Sunday night when the Phoenix Suns defeated the Grizzlies. He underwent an MRI on Tuesday, which revealed a PCL sprain in his right knee.<\/p>\n

The Grizzlies announced that Adams will miss three to five weeks while he recovers from the knee injury. The good news is that Adams doesn’t require surgery, but simply needs rest.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Coaches love Adams because he’s a banger on the boards and plays with an old-school mentality. The ultra-competitive and physical Adams is focused on playing defense and rebounding. He averages 9.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game in 42 starts with the Grizzlies this season.<\/p>\n

Adams is the best offensive rebounder in the NBA, averaging\u00a0 5.1 offensive rebounds per game. He’s also ranked #4 overall in total rebounds per game.<\/p>\n

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Adams is also one of the best screeners on the Grizzlies and a valuable part of their pick-and-roll offense. He has a reputation for being a brick wall on screens, much to the dismay of opposing defenses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The durable Adams logged 80-plus games in four out of his first six NBA seasons, which is rare these days in the “load management” era. He appeared in 76 games with the Grizzlies last season.<\/p>\n

From New Zealand to Pittsburgh to Grind City<\/h2>\n

Adams grew up in Wellington, New Zealand. His mother is originally from Tonga, and his father is from England and served in the Royal Navy. Adams excelled in rugby and soccer, but as a 6-foot-11 teenager, he gravitated toward basketball.<\/p>\n

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Adams played one season in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) for the Wellington Saints, where he earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2011. He drew interest from scouts from the United States, but he was still a raw talent. He played one season of prep school ball in New England before he enrolled at Pitt on a basketball scholarship.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Adams played a one-and-done season at Pitt. He started 32 games as a freshman and got named to the Big East All-Freshman Team. NBA scouts projected him as a first-round pick, so he declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft.<\/p>\n

The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Adams with the #12 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. He made a noticeable impact as a rookie, and was named to the 2013-14 NBA All-Rookie Team on the second team.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adams spent seven seasons with the Thunder and one season with the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans traded Adams to the Grizzlies in the summer of 2021.<\/p>\n

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