2 min read • March 11, 2022
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Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters Friday ahead of their game against the Knicks that small forward and key 3-and-D wing Dillon Brooks is expected to return during Memphis' upcoming road trip.
The Grizzlies, 45-22 and 2nd in the West by a tiebreaker, will face 4 teams under .500 during the trip: The Thunder, Pacers, Hawks, and Rockets, before they embark on their final 10 games that will be key for playoff positioning.
Brooks has not played in the last 27 games since suffering the severe right ankle sprain on Jan. 8.
In total, after an ironman last 2 season, the 27-year-old has missed 47 games this season with this ankle injury, a stint in health and safety protocols, and a preseason fractured left hand.
Brooks has played only 2 games since Christmas, but the Grizzlies have withstood his unavailability, going 32-14 without him while pacing to break their franchise record of 56 wins this season.
Young, athletic wings Ziaire Williams, De'Anthony Melton, and John Konchar have helped to fill the gaps around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr..
Williams, who was the 10th overall pick in last year's draft, is averaging 9.4 points and 2.4 rebounds on 59.3% true shooting as a starter in Brooks' place.
Before the injury, Brooks was averaging 18.4 points and 3.3 rebounds on 52.1% true shooting, although his impact as their defensive instigator and heartbeat has always gone beyond the box score.
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