Grizzlies' Steven Adams to undergo season-ending surgery for knee injury

Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams will undergo season-ending knee surgery on his right posterior cruciate ligament, the team announced on Sunday.

The shocking news comes after non-surgical rehab did not fix the knee instability that Adams had been dealing with since last season. He is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The Grizzlies open the season on Oct. 25 against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Adams first suffered a right PCL injury in January 2023. He was originally expected to return in March, but that process was delayed as he kept battling knee soreness. Adams' next reevaluation period was set for early April as the Grizzlies geared up for the playoffs, but the team quickly announced that he was unlikely to return at any point of last season.

At the Grizzlies' exit interviews after last season, the team stated that Adams wouldn't get surgery. All signs seemed to be trending in a positive direction throughout the preseason. Guard Luke Kennard told reporters Adams "looked great" when he was a full participant in preseason training camp scrimmages.

"He’s done everything," Kennard said on Oct. 5. "Every drill, all the scrimmages and he’s been dominant down low. He looks good to me."

Adams played 27 minutes in two preseason games and seemed to be closing in on a return. He did not play in the preseason finale against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.

Xavier Tillman Sr. started 29 games last season and would likely be the player who replaces Adams in the starting lineup. He averaged 9.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in starts last season.

Second-year forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. was promoted from a two-way contract to a standard deal late last season when Memphis needed more center depth in the playoffs. Lofton is likely to be a rotation candidate now as the backup center without Adams.