It is not a sensible absence, but it is one less piece to be used tonight by Taylor Jenkins. Steven Adams will not be able to be in the sixth game against Minnesota having entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols against the coronvirus.
As we say, in principle the Grizzlies should not notice too much his loss. In the first game he had up to 24 minutes, but since then he has only played a total of six, as Jenkins has opted for smaller, more mobile quintets.
Leading 3-2 for now, Memphis has a chance to close out the tie tonight in Minneapolis. If he wins, his conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors would begin on Sunday. In case of losing, a seventh game would be reached whose winner would play against the Californians on Tuesday.
(Photograph by Justin Ford/Getty Images)