Grizzlies forward out for season with knee sprain

Brandon Clarke will miss the remainder of the season due to a “high-grade PCL sprain in his right knee,” the Grizzlies announced (via X).

The 28-year-old power forward/center was injured by a hard fall during Wednesday’s game at Portland. He didn’t return after leaving the game late in the first quarter and was held out of Friday’s contest. The Grizzlies added that more information will be provided “after a treatment plan and timeline are set.”

That leaves Memphis without an important component of its frontcourt depth for the stretch run and the playoffs. Clarke appeared in 64 games this season, making 18 starts and averaging 8.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per night while shooting 62.1% from the floor.

It was a bounce-back season for Clarke, who was limited to six games a year ago due to an Achilles tear. While the team didn’t offer any specifics, this injury sounds far less severe and shouldn’t affect his availability for training camp this fall.

With three straight losses, the Grizzlies have slipped into fifth place in the West at 43-28. They’re facing a tight battle to hold off the Warriors (41-29), Clippers (40-30) and Timberwolves (41-31) to claim one of the six automatic playoff spots.

Clarke has two full seasons remaining on his four-year, $50M contract. He’ll make $12.5M in 2025-26 and again in 2026-27.