The Memphis Grizzlies finally have some good news on the injury report. Forward Brandon Clarke is on track to return in about six to nine weeks, the team announced, marking a positive step after a long stretch of setbacks.
Clarke, 29, had arthroscopic surgery earlier in the fall to treat right knee synovitis, an inflammation that developed during offseason workouts. He also underwent a separate procedure back in March to repair a high-grade sprain of his posterior cruciate ligament, which kept him sidelined for much of last season.
His absence has been felt. The Grizzlies have missed Clarke’s mix of athleticism and defensive energy in the frontcourt, relying more on younger players and short-term rotation pieces to fill the gap. If he stays on schedule, his return could provide the kind of depth and spark Memphis has been searching for since opening night.
Brandon Clarke’s Injury History
Brandon Clarke’s knee problems are just the latest in what’s been a rough couple of years for him. He lost most of the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons to a torn left Achilles. It was a long recovery that forced the Grizzlies to rely on their younger forwards for depth.
The team said Clarke will begin ramping up basketball work soon. If things go as planned, he could be back in action sometime in January. Memphis has not circled a return date, but it would be his first appearance since last season, when he played in 64 games and started 18.
Clarke stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 215 pounds. He averaged 8.3 points last year after putting up double figures in each of his first five seasons out of Gonzaga. Memphis picked him 21st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, and he quickly became known for his athletic finishes and steady rebounding around the rim.
Clarke’s value goes beyond numbers. He moves well on defense, helps on the glass, and brings energy that shifts the pace of a game. Before injuries slowed him down, he had carved out a spot as one of the Grizzlies’ most reliable role players.
He’s currently in the third season of a four-year, $52 million contract that pays him $12.5 million annually. A healthy return could restore that value for a Memphis team still looking to climb back into Western Conference contention.
Why Clarke’s Return Matters for Memphis
Memphis has shuffled its lineup more than a few times this season, searching for the right mix while dealing with injuries across the roster. The Grizzlies sit near the middle of the Western Conference pack and are still trying to find some consistency on both ends of the floor.
The Grizzlies’ have also dealt with several non injury related issues, with star guard Ja Morant reportedly barely speaking to head coach Tuomas Iisalo.
When healthy, Clarke’s athleticism adds an extra development to the Grizzlies’ frontcourt.
Clarke won’t need to play heavy minutes right away to make an impact. The Grizzlies have been thin up front since the start of the year, and adding Clarke back to the rotation could bring some stability they’ve been missing.
Memphis hopes a healthy Clarke can be the spark that pushes it to climb the Western Conference standings and reestablish its identity heading into the second half of the season.
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