MINNEAPOLIS – The task of replacing Steven Adams in the middle of the Grizzlies lineup is as massive a challenge as any they’ve faced in a season of notable injury absenses.
So much so, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins essentially unrolled a scroll’s list of intangibles the veteran, seven-footer has provided in powering one of the NBA’s most productive teams.
“We’re definitely going to miss Steve-o; he does so much for us to impact winning,” Jenkins said of Adams. “Obviously, we’re struggling right now on both ends of the floor. We have to find our groove. Our other bigs are going to have to step up with rebounding, the screening, the pick-and-roll offense, the playmaking that we ask of Steve-o and our defensive rim presence, too.”
The Grizzlies have lost both games Adams has missed since he was injured on a fall in the final seconds of Sunday’s 112-110 loss in Phoenix. The NBA’s leader in offensive rebounding and screen assists is expected to be sidelined about a month to recover from a sprained right knee.
Scrambling to adjust on the fly, the Grizzlies have dropped all four games on their longest road trip of the season. The nine-day, five-game trek wraps up Friday against the Timberwolves (25-25) with Memphis (31-17) eager to end their season-long, four-game losing streak.
Jenkins has started a different lineup in each of the two games Adams has missed. The Grizzlies started traditional center Xavier Tillman in the middle alongside power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. in Monday’s 33-point loss in Sacramento. On Wednesday, the smaller but more active Brandon Clarke shifted between power forward and center in opening beside Jackson.
Clarke shot 8-for-10 from the field in an encouraging effort to finish with 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a steal in 32 minutes during the 122-120 loss to the Warriors. Although Jenkins suggested his lineups and rotations could remain fluid and change on a game-to-game basis, Clarke is likely to maintain a primary role based on consistent production.
“Steven is having a very good season for us . . . and there’s definitely going to be some big holes to fill, but we have a very deep team and it’s about us being us, stepping up,” said Clarke, whose field goal shooting at 66.5-percent ranks fourth in the NBA. “I think I’ve got it all down really. It’s about me coming out and bringing what I know how to bring every night. I’ve played with pretty much all the units we have and know what it takes, whatever role I’m in.”
Spotty free-throw shooting – 11 misses from the line – and late-game defensive lapses primarily contributed to Memphis squandering the 10-point lead it held midway through the fourth quarter. But the Grizzlies have also gone consecutive games without holding an edge on their opponent in offensive rebounding and second-chance points – categories where they lead the league, largely due the relentless and rugged contributions from Adams.
The onus is now on a remaining power rotation of Jackson, Clarke, Tillman and Santi Aldma to pick up the pieces along the frontline in the weeks leading into the mid-February All-Star break. The Grizzlies have also been among the NBA’s leaders in paint scoring, with Adams setting space-clearing screens to create open looks for others or following up misses at the rim with putbacks.
His passing ability from the high and mid-post as a secondary facilitator creates yet another void to fill. Adams set his career high in assists last season with Memphis, and he’s producing career-best averages in rebounds (11.5), offensive boards (5.1) and blocks (1.1) this season.
But this is a familiar position for the Grizzlies, who have consistently relied on depth. They opened the season without Jackson (foot) and swingman Ziaire Williams (knee) for several weeks, then endured a month-long absence from second-leading scorer Desmond Bane (toe).
Through it all, the Grizzlies crossed into the New Year matching their franchise record with an 11-game winning streak that propelled them into a tie with Denver for the West’s best record. Then came this painful road trip, and a streak in the opposite direction.
This also includes a stretch in which four of the Grizzlies past five games were decided on the final possession. Friday’s game represents a chance for a breakthrough to end the trip and regroup in Memphis, where they own the league’s best home record at 20-3.
Another boost is anticipated with veteran swingman Danny Green targeting the Feb. 1 game against Portland for his Grizzlies debut. Green, a three-time NBA champion with the Spurs, Raptors and Lakers, underwent knee surgery last May while with the Sixers.
“It’s a long season,” said Bane, who is listed as questionable for Friday’s game with knee soreness. “I don’t think too many people are too flustered.”
Flustered? Perhaps not.
Frustrated? Yes.
Still Focused? Absolutely.
“This is one of those stretches,” guard Tyus Jones said. “It hasn’t been a good trip for us. It would be good to close it on a high note and get back home in front of our fans. This is part of the season where it starts to feel a little long, you are beat up and maybe look ahead to the All-Star break. But this is where great teams continue to lock in. We’ve just got to stay with it.”