MEMPHIS – The first stamp of approval came a little more than a month ago.
Through sweat-drenched attire during an All-Star break workout inside a sweltering Caribbean Island gym, Jaren Jackson Jr. saw key signs Brandon Clarke had transitioned.
No longer was Clarke prodding through meticulous stages of rehab nearly a year removed from Achilles surgery; he was now pushing past the final hurdles toward a healthy return.
With every shot, pass, dunk, block and drill they executed alongside other Grizzlies’ teammates during that exotic workout getaway, Jackson saw a familiar version of Clarke.
“B.C. was back to being B.C., yeah,” Jackson recently reflected. “That means he was dunking, running great, setting screens, slipping out, shooting threes. We saw it over the break, and it’s been like that. It’s been crazy growth because he’s healed. From Day 1, he took his rehab seriously and he looks really good right now.”
Well, B.C. is on the verge of getting back to NBA action.
The Grizzlies’ fifth-year power forward is expected to make his season debut this week, likely as soon as Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum. It will be Clarke’s first game since March 3, 2023, when he ruptured his left Achilles tendon in a loss at Denver and later underwent season-ending surgery.
Symbolically, Clarke was back on that very same court inside Denver’s Ball Arena for an extended pregame workout before Monday’s game against the Nuggets.
Exactly a year after suffering an injury that impacted two seasons of his young NBA career, Clarke was showing the quick, explosive moves and workout regimen that carved him a key role in the Grizzlies’ rotation through his first four NBA seasons.
After being listed as out for this season’s first 71 games, Clarke was upgraded to doubtful on the official injury report ahead of Monday’s matchup in Denver. However, he was held out of the Grizzlies’ loss to the Nuggets to end their four-game trip.
Clarke was upgraded Tuesday to questionable for Wednesday’s game, an indication that the 6-foot-7 veteran reserve is progressing toward a return. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins confirmed Clarke is on track to play this week. After Wednesday’s game, the Grizzlies head back on the road to start a three-game trip Saturday against the Orlando Magic.
In a season largely derailed by demoralizing injuries to their top players, the Grizzlies have taken solace in Clarke’s road to recovery and are eager for the boost his return provides.
“He’s been responding and performing really well, and it’s a credit to B.C. and the staff as well because this has been a real journey,” Jenkins said. “The pop he’s playing with, the unscripted movements – he’s gone from 3-on-3 games with staff, to play groups, to 5-on-5 to full practices when we’ve had them. You walk into the gym and see B.C. working, and it’s the B.C. of old, which has been really exciting for all of us.”
Clarke’s influence and presence extend well beyond basketball. His work ethic and positive attitude throughout the past year set a standard for teammates who have endured their own injuries and rehab schedules.
In addition to Clarke, the Grizzlies have been without leaders Ja Morant (shoulder surgery) and Marcus Smart (finger injury) for most of the season. Key veterans Desmond Bane and Derrick Rose have also missed significant time during a season in which the Grizzlies set franchise records for games missed to player injuries and different starting lineups used.
With 10 games remaining this season, the Grizzlies (24-48) aim to finish on a productive note and head into the offseason no longer weighed down by the burden of injuries.
Seeing Clarke methodically work with the performance team to beat the season’s finish line has galvanized the entire franchise. When other teammates were off to the side rehabbing their respective injuries, they’d draw inspiration from Clarke.
“Seeing how hard he’s worked after how down he was right after he got hurt, you just respect how he’s pushed through a lot of stuff,” Grizzlies swingman Luke Kennard said. “With the guys we’ve had in and out, to see Brandon get all the way back – it gives hope to a lot of guys. It’s not easy or fun to go through all that. But he’s shown there’s light at the end of the tunnel. So, when he’s out there working, we all just kind of stop and look over at him. We’d see how really good he’s looking and get excited about having him back soon.”
Clarke’s comeback has provided a larger perspective on the season overall. But he’s also made sure to enjoy each of the minor moments along the way.
“He’s embraced the whole process,” Grizzlies guard Vince Williams Jr. said. “He likes to come over to me and talk about how high he’s jumping and how he’s dunking now at a high level again. Being on the court with us is a big thing. But, honestly, just seeing him happy and enjoying the process now is the biggest and best thing ever.”
The hope is Clarke will get a couple of games alongside Jaren Jackson and Bane to get re-acclimated with players he once established continuity. Clarke was selected in the first round of the same 2019 NBA Draft when Memphis also landed Morant with the No. 2 pick.
In five seasons with the Grizzlies, Clarke has averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and nearly a block per game in 237 appearances. He set an NBA rookie record when he shot 61.8-percent from the field during the 2019-20 season and has shot 60.4-percent for his career, largely as an effective and efficient scorer in the paint.
Clarke is wrapping up the first year of a four-year contract extension with the Grizzlies. Team president and general manager Zach Kleiman suggested earlier this season that a healthy Clarke would be a key part of the power rotation alongside Jackson moving forward.
“Just getting in shape, with him showing he can do stuff he hadn’t really done in a while,” Jackson said of Clarke’s outlook amid his return. “He’s been watching all the games, so he’s seeing things really well right now. It’s going to be about how well he’s going to apply it.”
There’s still a long road ahead as Clarke gradually regains his solid footing.
Yet, he’s already come so far just to get back to this step.
For that alone, a season marked by losses and injuries for the Grizzlies is on the verge of taking an encouraging and victorious turn.