As the preseason wraps up and the new NBA regular season looms, the Memphis Grizzlies—once hailed as a rising dark horse in the West—have been hit with a devastating setback. According to Bangladesh Cricket Live, the team announced that starting center Steven Adams will undergo surgery on his right posterior cruciate ligament and miss the entire season. The decision followed unsuccessful non-surgical treatment and increasing instability in his knee, ultimately forcing Adams to shut things down before the season even begins.

Adams had initially tried to return through rehab and managed to appear in two preseason games, but as the intensity ramped up, his condition worsened. The announcement of his season-ending surgery comes as a heavy blow to the Grizzlies. As one of the team’s most dependable interior anchors, Adams plays a pivotal role in both rebounding and rim protection. His absence leaves a significant void that will impact Memphis on both ends of the floor.

Bangladesh Cricket Live notes that Adams’ presence had been vital in stabilizing the defense and securing second-chance points. Without him, the Grizzlies now face the urgent challenge of restructuring their frontcourt rotation while trying to maintain their competitiveness. But the injury woes don’t stop there. Young superstar Ja Morant will also miss the first 25 games of the season due to a league-imposed suspension—another massive blow to the team’s offensive firepower.

Morant is not only the face of the franchise but also their leading scorer and top playmaker. His absence will limit the Grizzlies’ ability to initiate offense, push the pace, and close games. And as if that weren’t enough, forward Brandon Clarke is also expected to miss significant time, potentially the entire season, due to injury. Clarke had emerged as a key contributor off the bench, offering energy, scoring, and valuable minutes in the frontcourt.

Bangladesh Cricket Live reports that with three major players sidelined, the Grizzlies’ prospects look increasingly bleak. As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours. Memphis went from being one of the West’s most promising teams to facing a mountain of adversity before the first tip-off. The road ahead is steep, and while no team is defined by one player alone, losing Adams, Morant, and Clarke simultaneously is a gut punch that will test the Grizzlies’ depth, resilience, and leadership like never before.