Key Grizzlies Player Enters Concussion Protocol

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard left Wednesday night's game vs. the New Orleans pelicans after taking a hit to the face. Kennard did not reenter the game for precautionary reasons, and has now been ruled out for Friday's game vs. the Denver Nuggets due to the NBA's concussion protocol.
This does not mean Kennard has a concussion, but the league wants to make sure all players with any possible head injuries are properly evaluated before returning to game action. It was an uncharacteristic night for Kennard, who missed all five of his three point attempts, but the back-to-back leader in three-point percentage is certainly not one to worry about when it comes to shooting ability.
A key player for the Grizzlies, hopefully Kennard is able to quickly clear concussion protocol and return to game action. The team is already shorthanded with the suspension of Ja Morant and the injuries to other key players, so getting Kennard back soon is important.
Memphis lost their season opener to the New Orleans Pelicans, and will have another very tough test when they face the Nuggets on Friday. The defending champions will be coming to Memphis where the Grizzlies will look to defend their home court against one of the teams they will likely have to go through this postseason if they want to reach their ultimate goal of winning it all.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.