Luke Kennard's Status Uncertain For Grizzlies-Lakers Game 6 On Friday

Memphis Grizzlies sharpshooter Luke Kennard is currently listed as questionable to play in Game 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.

Already without Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke due to injuries, the Memphis Grizzlies may have to play Game 6 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers without sharpshooting wing Luke Kennard. 

Leaving Game 5 on Wednesday night early with a left shoulder injury, Kennard is currently listed as "questionable" for Game 6 on Friday night against the Lakers, however his status for this game is very much up-in-the-air. 

According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Kennard has not taken a shot or moved his left shoulder at shootaround on Friday. 

Grizzlies wing Luke Kennard has not taken a shot or really even moved that injured left shoulder since media has been allowed into shootaround. He’s listed as questionable for Game 6 tonight.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 28, 2023

Drew Hill from The Daily Memphian expanded on what MacMahon reported, stating that while he was present at shootaround, Kennard did not attempt a single shot in front of the media and was instead rebounding for teammates. 

Luke Kennard is present at shootaround but has not attempted a single shot in view of the media. Rebounding for teammates.

— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) April 28, 2023

"Luke brings a lot of floor spacing to our game and he can shoot it at a high clip," Grizzlies center Xavier Tillman said, via Hill. "The medical staff is working with him. Hopefully we can get him back as soon as possible."

Since coming over to Memphis at the trade deadline, Luke Kennard has been a terrific shooting weapon for them on their bench unit. 

In 24 regular season games with the Grizzlies, Kennard averaged 11.3 points per game while shooting 54.0 percent from three-point range and in the first five playoff games, Kennard has averaged 7.2 points per game while shooting 50.0 percent from three-point range. 

Having Kennard healthy and on the floor gives the Grizzlies another scoring weapon to play around with alongside Ja Morant and Desmond Bane in the backcourt, which is why his presence is so important to their overall success. 

Down 3-2 to the Lakers and needing to win Game 6 in Los Angeles in order to force a series-deciding Game 7 on Sunday, the Grizzlies are hoping that Luke Kennard will be ready to go for Game 6 on Friday night.