MINNEAPOLIS — Just because Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams was taken out of the starting lineup and has played sparingly during the NBA playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, doesn’t mean his impact hasn’t been felt.
Just ask his teammates.
“It is nice having him there on the bench for me because he always gives me tips and pointers,” Brandon Clarke said Friday. “I’m sure that he’ll be giving me those tips and pointers through the TV.”
“He’s a great voice,” Jaren Jackson Jr. added. “… He’s just an elite passer, elite basketball mind. He knows the game real well. He can teach you anything.”
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The Grizzlies lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.
Adams did not travel for Game 6 and is in health and safety protocols. He won’t play Friday (8 p.m., ESPN, Bally Sports Southeast). Current health and safety protocols do not require contact tracing for fully vaccinated players and coaches.
“He’s doing well, he’s getting better each day,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “It’s just kind of luck of the draw, unfortunately.”
Win or lose, the Grizzlies’ next game will be on Sunday. If it’s Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors, the expectation was that Jenkins would turn back to the traditional starting lineup that featured Adams.
Contact Damichael Cole at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter @damichaelc
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies teammates will miss Steven Adams’ voice