Memphis Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke suffers season-ending Achilles injury

On a day where the Memphis Grizzlies announced Ja Morant will be away from the team for at least two games, they also announced that forward Brandon Clarke is out indefinitely with an left Achilles tear.

ESPN reported Clarke will miss the remainder of the season, a sizable blow to the Grizzlies' hopes of making a deep playoff run.

Clarke suffered the injury Friday in the first quarter of the Grizzlies' loss to the Denver Nuggets. He stepped awkwardly on his left leg after attempting a free throw and immediately grabbed it after falling to the ground. He was helped off the court and shown leaving the arena in a golf cart with ice around his left Achilles.

Clarke's been a key reserve since his rookie season and has been a strong presence both around the rim and for his leaping ability.

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In his fourth season, Clarke averaged 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds on 65.6% shooting in 56 games. He also signed a four-year, $52 million extension in October.

The estimated recovery time for an Achilles tear can be between eight to 12 months. Kevin Durant and Breanna Stewart are recent examples of basketball players who recovered to resume playing at a superstar level. Rudy Gay suffered an Achilles tear in 2017 and is still playing in the league although his numbers have declined with age.

However, some like DeMarcus Cousins and Kobe Bryant had their careers permanently altered after an Achilles tear.

It's more bad news for the Grizzlies (38-24) as Morant is being investigated by the NBA after sharing a video on Instagram Live Saturday morning where he appeared to be holding a gun. Dillon Brooks is also suspended for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers after picking up his 16th technical foul Friday, a total that carries an automatic one-game suspension.

Center Steven Adams is expected to return soon after being out with a knee injury since Jan. 23. But losing Clarke hurts a team with a thin bench that lacks the production of the past two seasons. It'll mean more minutes for Xavier Tillman Sr. when Adams returns but also perhaps more playing time for rookie forward David Roddy

The Grizzlies are also one game ahead of the Sacramento Kings for second place in the Western Conference with 20 games remaining.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke suffers season-ending Achilles injury