New Zealand-born Memphis Grizzlies centre Steven Adams has been ruled out of the 2023-2024 NBA season as he will be undergoing surgery on his right knee after non-operative rehabilitation did not resolve ongoing knee instability.

Adams sprained the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last January which forced him to miss the remainder of the 2022-2023 season and the playoffs.

Not having Adams for the entire season adds yet another challenge for the Grizzlies heading into 2023 – 2024 as they are already without star guard Ja Morant who is on a 25-game league suspension and Brandon Clarke who is still on his Achilles rehab.

Adams is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The 2023 – 2024 NBA season will kick off this week.

The Grizzlies will take on the Pelicans at 12pm Thursday.