Kennard (shoulder) has been ruled out for Game 6 versus the Lakers on Friday.
This is a tough blow for Memphis as they lose one of their top perimeter shooters. Kennard was carrying a questionable tag prior to this update, so he's likely considered day-to-day going forward. In Kennard's absence, the Grizzlies could turn to John Konchar and David Roddy.
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Grizzlies' Luke Kennard: Considered a game-time call
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Kennard (shoulder) is considered a game-time call for Game 6 versus the Lakers on Friday, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports.
Kennard is still carrying a questionable tag and was a limited participant at the morning shootaround. With Memphis' season on the line, Kennard getting the green light would be a big boost for the Grizzlies due to the elite floor spacing he provides.
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Grizzlies' Luke Kennard: Attends shootaround Friday
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Kennard (shoulder) is at Memphis' shootaround ahead of Game 6 versus the Lakers on Friday, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
While Kennard was seen at shootaround, it appears that his participation was limited. Kennard is shooting 50 percent from three on 3.2 attempts per game this series, so his potential absence could hurt the Grizzlies' spacing.
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Grizzlies' Luke Kennard: Uncertain for Friday
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Kennard (shoulder) is questionable for Friday's Game 6 versus the Lakers.
Kennard exited Game 5 after sustaining a stinger in his left shoulder and did not return. If he's unable to give it a go Friday, expect John Konchar and David Roddy to pick up his vacated minutes.
Kennard is doubtful to return to Wednesday's Game 5 versus the Lakers with a left shoulder injury.
Kennard is unlikely to return to Wednesday's game after sustaining a left shoulder injury. If he's unable to return, John Konchar and David Roddy could each see more action.
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Grizzlies' Luke Kennard: Unable to lift
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Kennard amassed six points (2-4 FG, 2-4 3Pt), four rebounds and one assist over 14 minutes during Monday's 117-111 overtime loss to the Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Kennard was a non-factor once again Monday, logging just 14 minutes in the loss. After a strong end to the regular season, his production has fallen off quite substantially during the playoffs. Across the four games to date, he has connected on six three-pointers, adding very little else. The Grizzlies need to find a way to get him going if they are to stick around beyond Game 5.
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Grizzlies' Luke Kennard: Continues to thrive
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Kennard contributed 19 points (7-9 FG, 5-7 3Pt), four rebounds and five assists over 32 minutes during Friday's 137-114 win over the Bucks.
Kennard continues to defy the odds, turning in another strong performance Friday. He has been a top 60 player over the past month, averaging 13.4 points per game on 56.6 percent shooting, including 3.6 triples. He has been a perfect addition to the Grizzlies, affording Ja Morant some more space in which to work. In what was seen as a minor acquisition, Kennard could prove to be a key piece for the Grizzlies as they embark on what they are hoping will be a deep playoff run.
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Grizzlies' Luke Kennard: Gets starting nod
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Kennard is in the starting five for Friday's game versus the Bucks, Rob Fischer of Bally Sports Southeast reports.
Kennard will make just his third start for Memphis this season Friday. He is averaging 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 33.5 minutes across his previous two starts.
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Grizzlies' Luke Kennard: Not on Friday's injury report
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Kennard (ankle) isn't on the injury report for Friday's game against the Bucks.
Kennard was unavailable Wednesday against New Orleans, but he'll be back in action for Friday's matchup. He's scored in double figures in 11 of his last 12 outings, averaging 14.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 27.3 minutes per game during that time.
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Grizzlies' Luke Kennard: Downgraded to out
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Kennard (ankle) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Pelicans.
Kennard has been downgraded from doubtful to out Wednesday due to right ankle soreness. Tyus Jones, John Konchar and David Roddy are candidates to receive extended minutes in his absence. Kennard's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with Milwaukee.
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Grizzlies' Luke Kennard: Unlikely to play Wednesday
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Kennard (ankle) is doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans.
Kennard dropped 20 points (6-10 3Pt) as a starter during Tuesday's win over Portland, but it appears he'll likely get the night off Wednesday, along with Ja Morant (hip). Tyus Jones figures to draw the start in Morant's expected absence, while Dillon Brooks will return to action versus the Pelicans and should fill the most of Kennard's missing minutes. However, with Kennard unavailable, John Konchar and David Roddy figure to remain part of the rotation, as well.
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Grizzlies' Luke Kennard: Drops 20 points as starter
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Kennard contributed 20 points (6-11 FG, 6-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 34 minutes during Tuesday's 119-109 win over the Trail Blazers.
Kennard moved into the starting lineup with Dillon Brooks (hip) out and tied his second-highest scoring mark of the season. Over his past 12 appearances (two starts), Kennard has averaged 14.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27.3 minutes while shooting 57 percent from behind the arc.
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Grizzlies' Luke Kennard: Starting against Portland
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Kennard will enter the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against Portland, according to Rob Fischer of Bally Sports Southeast.
Dillon Brooks is being held out by the Grizzlies due to a hip issue. Kennard has been playing some of the best basketball of his career in recent weeks and will be looking to bounce back from a mild showing against the Bulls on April 2, when he posted his lowest scoring total (six points) since March 13.
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Grizzlies' Luke Kennard: Goes for 17 points Friday
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Kennard closed with 17 points (6-11 FG, 5-10 3Pt), six rebounds and one assist over 33 minutes during Friday's 108-94 win over the Clippers.
Kennard is firmly entrenched as one of the best scoring weapons off the bench for the Grizzlies, as his floor spacing and long-range shooting are vital in Memphis' offensive scheme. He's been on a tear of late and has scored in double digits in 10 games in a row, averaging 15.3 points while shooting an elite 59.4 percent from deep in that span.
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Grizzlies' Luke Kennard: Moves back to bench
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Kennard isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game versus the Clippers, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Desmond Bane will replace Kennard in the starting five Friday. Kennard is still a valuable fantasy asset, as he is averaging 16.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 25.0 minutes across his last five games coming off the bench.
Kennard will move into the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Clippers, Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Kennard will be earning his first start in a Memphis uniform Wednesday evening, and he should see plenty of minutes with Desmond Bane (foot) and John Konchar (hip) watching from the sidelines. Kennard has been heating up over the past three games with averages of 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 6.0 triples and 1.0 steals per contest, so he's certainly on the radar as a potential streamer.
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Grizzlies' Luke Kennard: Stays hot in Tuesday's win
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Kennard finished with 15 points (6-8 FG, 4-5 3Pt), five rebounds, five assists and one steal in 28 minutes in Tuesday's 113-108 win over the Magic.
Though he remains a bench player for the Grizzlies, Kennard has morphed into a more useful fantasy option than starting small forward Dillon Brooks, who continues to struggle with efficiency and offers limited value in the peripheral categories. Kennard, on the other hand, is in the midst of a red-hot eight-game run in which he's averaged 15.5 points (on 61.2 percent shooting from the field) to go with 4.4 three-pointers, 3.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 25.0 minutes per contest. Kennard's career-long 43.5 percent mark from the field represents a more realistic level of what to expect from him as a shooter moving forward, but even if regression hits in Wednesday's game against the Clippers, the 26-year-old may be able to offset any downturn in efficiency with added volume. Memphis is likely to hold out both Desmond Bane (foot) and Jaren Jackson (calf) for rest purposes in the second leg of the back-to-back set, so there should be plenty of touches to go around for both Ja Morant and Kennard.
