Not only did the Memphis Grizzlies lose 113-97 on the road against the Denver Nuggets , but they also lost big man Brandon Clarke due to a non-contact left leg injury.
With just seconds remaining in the first quarter of Friday night's game, Clarke missed a free-throw for the Grizzlies and as he ran up the court to try and defend Denver, he abruptly went down and immediately grabbed at the back of his left leg/knee.
Clarke had to be helped off the floor by his teammates and did not appear to put any weight on his left leg as he was carried to the locker room. Shortly after, the Grizzlies announced that he would not return with a "left lower leg injury."
This is certainly a major concern for Memphis at this point in the season, especially since Clarke has been a key contributor for them both in and out of the starting unit.
With Steven Adams still recovering from a PCL injury in his right knee, Brandon Clarke has been one of the key players the Grizzlies have turned to for production in their frontcourt.
Playing in 56 games this year, Clarke has averaged 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 65.6 percent from the floor.
After the game, Clarke was seen leaving the arena on a golf cart with the back of his left leg/Achilles area wrapped heavily in ice.
"I pray that everything is okay," head coach Taylor Jenkins said after the game in regards to Clarke, via Damichael Cole. "He’s got a lower left leg injury. I have no idea what’s going on, so we’ll get more results there."
Following this loss on Friday night, the Grizzlies are now just one game ahead of the Sacramento Kings for the 2-seed in the Western Conference.
They will play their next game on Sunday, March 5 against the Los Angeles Clippers on the road.
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