Brandon Clarke’s latest knee injury update isn’t what fans want to hear

Not much went well Memphis Grizzlies for the start of the 2025-26 season. Except the drama surrounding Ja Morant and head coach Tuomas IisalThe Grizzlies are dealing with multiple injuries behind the scenes, one of which involves a key big man Brandon Clarke.

This 29-year-old forward has struggled with many injuries over the years, and his 2024-25 season. he stopped in March because PCL sprain of right knee. While Clark was expected to be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season and provide key frontcourt depth alongside Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. underwent another procedure in September.

However, this arthroscopic procedure was not supposed to resolve his PCL injury, which healed completely. Instead, the right knee synovitis was to be addressed. Originally, the Grizzlies said Clark would be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks and was expected to make a full recovery.

About seven weeks later, an update is given about Clarke’s status, but that’s not what Grizzlies fans want to hear.

The Grizzlies said Tuesday that Clark is “progressing well” in rehabbing his right knee and has been cleared to begin resuming his basketball activities. The bad news is that Clark still has a few more weeks before he gets a chance to actually play, as Memphis says he’s expected to be back on the field in 6-9 weeks.

This is both good and bad news for the Grizzlies.

On the one hand, the good news is that Clark has not suffered a setback and is on track to return by the end of December at the earliest. Then again, the Grizzlies started the year 4-7 and desperately need someone like Clarke to help them out in the frontcourt, especially with the injury to second-year center Zach Eddy.

Whether Clarke’s multiple knee injuries will affect his future with the Grizzlies remains to be seen. Although the organization says he will make a full recovery and is cleared of a PCL injury from last season, his availability has been a concern for the Grizzlies.

In six seasons with Memphis, Clark averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 60.6 percent from the floor. When available, Clark has been an impact player for the Grizzlies. The only problem is that he has missed 105 games since the start of the 2023-24 season, including Memphis’ first 11 games of the season.

The Grizzlies or head coach Tuomas Iisalo will likely provide an update on Clark’s status and potential return to practice at some point in December.