Reeling Grizzlies dealt another blow with news on big man

When it rains, it pours. 

The Memphis Grizzlies relayed that center Steven Adams is expected to miss at least another four weeks after receiving a stem cell injection as he recovers from a PCL sprain. He might miss the rest of the regular season.

This is a massive blow for the Grizzlies, already reeling from the debacle with star Ja Morant, who will not play until next Friday at the earliest, per ESPN.  

Morant has been sidelined following an investigation stemming from his Instagram Live video in which he appeared to display a handgun at a Colorado nightclub. He will not face criminal charges

On the court, Memphis — which is 5-5 in its last 10 games — got another blow when center Brandon Clarke suffered a season-ending torn left Achilles earlier this week, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Memphis finds itself with a limited frontcourt. Without any other true center, the Grizzlies are turning to the 6-foot-7 Xavier Tillman to fill the starting center role. This season, the second-year forward is averaging 6.1 points and 4.6 boards. 

The Grizzlies (39-26) are third in the Western Conference by virtue of losing a tiebreaker with the Kings and could free-fall in the standings with Adams sidelined. 

Per StatMuse, Memphis is 28-14 this season when Adams plays and 8-11 without him after Thursday night's win over the Golden State Warriors. He averages 8.6 points on 59% shooting from the field and a team-leading 11.5 rebounds. Even though he hasn't played since January, Adams leads the NBA in total offensive rebounds (214). 

Adams controls the rim as well, allowing Jaren Jackson Jr. to do what he does best: hunt for blocks. Without Adams, Jackson's on- and off-ball defensive responsibility has been heavily increased.