Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams will be active for Game 3 vs. the Warriors for the first time in the series, per Grizzlies beat reporter Damichael Cole.
Steven Adams will be active tomorrow for Game 3 vs the Warriors. No decision has been made on the starting lineup. The Grizzlies feel that he’s progressed enough to be ready to go tomorrow night.
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) May 6, 2022
Adams has been absent in the series due to being in the NBA's Covid-19 health and safety protocols. After playing 24 minutes of Game 1 in the opening round, Adams has played just five minutes since.
Even with his return from protocol, he seems unlikely to see any action. In 29 total minutes in the postseason, Adams has been largely ineffective. He's yet to even attempt a shot or free throw, while grabbing just five total rebounds and no blocks to show for.
His ineffectiveness led to the benching, which has given Xavier Tillman and Brandon Clarke additional playing time. The Warriors are known to revert to small-ball lineups regularly, hurting Adams' chance of possibly seeing the floor. Down 2-0 though, maybe the Grizzlies turn to Adams for a spark down low.
Clarke is averaging 29.4 minutes per contest in the eight playoff games thus far. That's nearly a 10-minute increase from his regular season averages and he's excelled in the increased role. He's averaging 15.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in the playoffs on an effective 69.7% from the floor. Paired up front with Jaren Jackson Jr., it's allowed the Grizzlies to possess one of the more athletic frontcourts in the postseason.
Tillman has taken over Adams' spot in the starting lineup as well. In seven games, he's averaged 4.7 points and 3.9 rebounds in 15.1 minutes. While Adams likely won't provide the Grizzlies much of a presence on the court, his veteran leadership on the bench certainly can't hurt.
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