Blake Griffin works up a sweat during a game of kickball with fellow NBA player Chandler Parsons and friends… as LA begins to relax COVID-19 restrictions
More on Chandler Parsons Injury
NBA players Blake Griffin and Chandler Parsons have been out of work for more than two months now in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. So with some time on their hands, the pair put their ball skills to use when they hooked up for a friendly game of kickball with some pals in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Atlanta Hawks forward Chandler Parsons suffered several serious and permanent injuries after getting hit by a drunk driver last week ... and now his NBA future is in jeopardy, his attorney claims. The 31-year-old was on his way home from practice around 2:00 PM on January 15 when a man -- who admitted to drinking and had alcohol in his car -- hit Parsons and caused a 3-car wreck.
Parsons' attorneys, John Morgan and Nick Panagakis, say he may never fully recover from the accident ... claiming he suffered a brain injury, disc herniation and a torn labrum. The attorneys released a statement on Monday, saying "The at-fault driver created utter chaos on the roadway, needlessly endangering the lives of countless motorists; he now stands charged with DUI, admitted drinking, had alcohol in the car with him, passed out after causing a three-car crash at 2:00 PM on a Wednesday in a busy intersection, seriously injuring and potentially ending Mr. Parsons' career as a professional athlete."
"Chandler is having a difficult time accepting the consequences of the defendant's reckless conduct on the roadway." "Chandler was in peak physical condition at the time of the wreck. He is now working with a team of doctors to regain his health, and at this time, his ability to return to play is unclear. Our focus right now is on helping him make a full recovery, while we also work to hold any and all responsible parties fully accountable."
TMZ Sports has obtained the accident report from the accident ... and it says Parsons told officers his neck, back and head were injured, but did not wish to be transported to the hospital. He went to the team facility instead, and docs reported he had a concussion and whiplash.
Brad Townsend: Rick Carlisle was unaware of @Chandler Parsons’ Jan. 15 auto wreck in which he was struck by a DUI driver and suffered, according to his attorney, “multiple severe and permanent injuries, including a traumatic brain injury.” Carlisle became emotional when I informed him. pic.twitter.com/kA4JFpFK9a
Justin Anderson: Praying for your recovery bro. @Chandler Parsons 🙏🏽 😞
Chris Haynes: Chandler Parsons hires Morgan & Morgan after being struck by individual who’s charged with DUI, according to attorney. Parsons suffered “multiple severe and permanent injuries including a traumatic brain injury, disc herniation and torn labrum.” His return to play is unclear.
Atlanta Hawks small forward Chandler Parsons has retained Morgan & Morgan, the nation's largest plaintiffs law firm, following a January 15 auto crash in which he suffered multiple severe and permanent injuries including a traumatic brain injury, disc herniation and a torn labrum. Parsons was traveling home from practice shortly before 2:00PM when he was struck by a driver who was arrested for drinking and driving. Mr. Parsons' attorneys John Morgan and Nick Panagakis released the following statement: "Morgan & Morgan has been retained by Mr. Parsons to help preserve all of his rights and navigate the legal process on his behalf in the wake of this terrible automobile crash. Chandler was seriously injured in this crash, which never should have occurred.
"The at-fault driver created utter chaos on the roadway, needlessly endangering the lives of countless motorists; he now stands charged with DUI, admitted drinking, had alcohol in the car with him, passed out after causing a three-car crash at 2:00PM on a Wednesday in a busy intersection, seriously injuring and potentially ending Mr. Parsons' career as a professional athlete. "Chandler is having a difficult time accepting the consequences of the defendant's reckless conduct on the roadway. "Chandler was in peak physical condition at the time of the wreck. He is now working with a team of doctors to regain his health, and at this time, his ability to return to play is unclear. Our focus right now is on helping him make a full recovery, while we also work to hold any and all responsible parties fully accountable."
Patrick Patterson: Sending prayers your way Chandler!
Chris Kirschner: Hawks say Chandler Parsons was involved in a car accident after practice today. He sustained a concussion and whiplash and was examined at the team facility. He’ll enter the league’s concussion protocol and won’t travel to San Antonio with the team on Friday.
Sarah K. Spencer: Lloyd Pierce says Chandler Parsons will be active tonight vs. the Clippers. Says they're still working on Evan Turner, but hopefully he will be active and ready to go tonight as well. Says the extra bodies are good to have around, with how short-handed the team is.
Sarah K. Spencer: Chandler Parsons (injury management - bilateral knees) has been upgraded to probable for tonight's game vs. the Suns!
Sarah K. Spencer: Hawks injury report for tomorrow vs. Suns: Alex Len (left ankle sprain) and Cam Reddish (AC joint sprain - left shoulder) are probable. Chandler Parsons (injury management - bilateral knees) is doubtful First time we've seen Parsons listed as "doubtful" instead of ruled out.
Chris Kirschner: For tomorrow’s game vs. Kings: Cam Reddish (right shoulder soreness) is probable. John Collins (league suspension) is out. Allen Crabbe (post op rehab – right knee) is out. Chandler Parsons (load management – bilateral knees) is out. Evan Turner (left Achilles pain) is out.
Chris Kirschner: For tomorrow’s game vs. Miami: De’Andre Hunter (dental injury) is probable. Evan Turner (left Achilles pain) is doubtful. Allen Crabbe (post op rehab – right knee) is out. Chandler Parsons (load management – bilateral knees) is out. Trae Young (right ankle sprain) is out.
Chris Kirschner: For tomorrow’s game at Detroit: Kevin Huerter (right knee pain) is probable. Allen Crabbe (post op rehab – right knee) is out. Chandler Parsons (load management – bilateral knees) is out.
Chris Kirschner: For tomorrow’s game at New York: Evan Turner (left Achilles pain) is probable. Allen Crabbe (post op rehab – right knee) is out. Kevin Huerter (right knee pain) is out. Chandler Parsons (load management – bilateral knees) is out.
Sarah K. Spencer: Lloyd Pierce says Chandler Parsons isn't on a load management plan, but is out injured. Says Parsons got injections in his knees. Parsons has struggled with knee injuries throughout the years.
Chandler Parsons says he's "disappointed" that he couldn't finish the season with the Memphis Grizzlies and insisted he's "ready to play and committed to getting back on the court." "I am extremely disappointed that I didn't get to finish this season alongside my teammates and the Memphis coaching staff," Parsons told ESPN in a statement. "Unfortunately that option wasn't presented to me.
But the point is, Parsons knew his knees weren’t worth betting on. And he wasn’t willing to do what it would take to persuade the Mavericks otherwise. Here we are, more than two years later, and the same thing is true. Chandler isn’t willing to accept an open-ended assignment to play for the Memphis Hustle. He’s declining to bet on his knees once again. That’s his prerogative, of course.
Parsons finished up morning shootaround ahead of Saturday’s game against the Boston Celtics, the 32nd game in a row he won’t play in, and decided to speak for the first time about the off-court drama that’s preventing him from making a return. “The most confusing part for me is I’m healthy,” Parsons told The Commercial Appeal. “I’m medically cleared by the people I work with every single day, that are experts at this kind of stuff, so it’s frustrating to watch a team struggle and I’m sitting there on the bench healthy, dying to play.”
Parsons and the Grizzlies medical staff targeted a Dec. 21 game at Sacramento as when he would return from the right knee soreness. His entire rehab process was geared toward returning on that date. “Then they kind of put an end to that,” Parsons said. The “they” here is Wallace and the Grizzlies’ front office, and it's the source of all the tension from Parsons' perspective.
“It’s just been a very unorganized schedule and still, to this day, there’s no set plan of when I’m going to return to play or anything like that,” Parsons said before elaborating on why he’s so frustrated by the situation. “No communication. No nothing. I don’t think it’s from a basketball standpoint. It’s definitely not from a health standpoint. I’ve been cleared by the medical staff of our organization, and clearly it’s not about fitting. I already earned a starting spot out of training camp and have shown I can fit with the team. I think the confusion for me is there’s no communication about what’s going on and when I’m going to play.”
Chandler Parsons, who has been out since Oct. 24 with knee swelling, has been medically cleared to return and was expected to play last Friday in Sacramento, but the Grizzlies’ front office has decided to keep Parsons a healthy inactive for the foreseeable future, sources said. Could this lead to a standoff?
Omari Sanfoka II: Bickerstaff said there's a chance Chandler Parsons will play before the end of December, but isn't certain that'll happen. Coaching staff is being cautious with his return, but he's medically cleared.
With Parsons, the terminology is a change after "knee soreness" and "back soreness" were the official reasons why he missed games through four through 31 this season. The change in wording comes as Parsons continues a robust workout regimen along with second-year wing Dillon Brooks, who is expected to return from a grade II MCL sprain by the end of the month. A Grizzlies offense that has scored more than 100 points just once in its last 10 games is in desperate need of an offensive boost.
Omari Sanfoka II: I asked JB Bickerstaff what "return from injury management" means for Chandler Parsons. "It means he's in practices now, he's playing 4-on-4, 3-on-3, that type of stuff. He's moving closer to being able to return."
David Cobb: FWIW, I also asked Chris Wallace about his expectations for Chandler Parsons this season. "Chandler is working his way back from his knee injury. He is very diligent in putting the time in, and we'll see where he is here in the next few weeks."
David Cobb: Grizzlies announce that Dillon Brooks is expected to return by the end of the month. Another update on Chandler Parsons will be given in approximately two weeks.
Mark Giannotto: Bad Memphis Grizzlies news: Chandler Parsons is still limited by knee and back soreness and will be re-evaluated in another 2 weeks Good Memphis Grizzlies news: Omri Casspi is expected to return in the next week.
Mike Giannotto: JB Bickerstaff said Grizzlies will explore adding another big or perimeter shooter to take Andrew Harrison's spot on roster. Also, Bickerstaff doesn't expect Chandler Parsons to be available during 3-game road trip.
Michael Wallace: Bickerstaff said the @Memphis Grizzlies will remain cautious with Chandler Parsons, who had an MRI and could miss a couple more games with knee soreness. "We don’t want to put him in a situation where he’s coming back, going back out and coming back. We want him to get healthy first."
Michael Wallace: A side note from today's draft workout availability, Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace said Parsons (knee rehab/treatment) and Conley (Achilles surgery rehab) both "progressing well in vigorous rehab programs. So far, so good." Conley and Parsons on schedule for full go training camp.
Jerry Zgoda: Chandler Parsons will play tonight for Grizzlies
Ronald Tillery: Bickerstaff says Chandler Parsons will play tomorrow at Orlando but Marc Gasol will likely sit.
Michael Wallace: Grizzlies injury report for Friday's game vs Denver lists Conley, Davis, Evans and Parsons as out. Parsons, who has been out with a flu-like illness since All-Star break, has nearly recuperated and progressed in conditioning. Hearing he's likely to return Saturday vs Orlando.
Tim MacMahon: Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons plans to play Wednesday against the Thunder after missing the last 20 games due to right knee soreness. He has officially been upgraded to questionable.
Michael Wallace: Chandler Parsons (knee soreness) returned to full practice today. Said he's "hearing" he's feeling good. Sounds hopeful to be back at some point soon, perhaps pre All-Star break. Check grizzlies.com soon for his feedback.
Ronald Tillery: Chandler Parsons’ agent James Dunleavy on Grizzlies potentially asking for injury retirement: “That couldn’t be further from the truth. He’s looking forward to getting back on the court.”
Ronald Tillery: Should have tweeted several days ago what I heard about Mike Conley needing surgery... Not confirmed but hearing that Grizzlies have approached Chandler Parsons' people about injury retirement (of course, they will deny). Chandler Parsons: with tweets like this, you’ll retire before me. #FakeNews
Michael Wallace: Grizzlies say Chandler Parsons (knee soreness) is day-to-day. He hasn't played since Dec. 27. Both JaMychal Green (ankle) and James Ennis (calf) are expected to return within the next week, which possibly puts them in play for the upcoming 4-game road trip.
TJ McBride: Bickerstaff said that Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons are both back on the court getting closer to returning. Neither are in Denver.
Chandler Parsons, who addressed his status for the first time in two weeks, confirmed he had his knee checked out by specialists during the team’s recent west coast trip and results showed no structural damage. He’s spent the past several days working to reduce swelling and soreness in the right knee, which has twice been surgically repaired. “My knee is feeling much better than it has been, so we keep doing a little more and more in practice to hopefully get back into a game soon,” said Parsons, who experienced swelling after he played in a Dec. 27 road win against the Lakers. “That’s the weirdest thing (because) I don’t remember getting hit. It wasn’t like an instance where I got hit or fell or got kneed. So I just took it slow, got it checked out, checked off the boxes and nothing was wrong. So I’ll just continue to strengthen it and do all the proper steps forward.”
Ronald Tillery: Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (Achilles/heel) and forward Chandler Parsons (right knee soreness) are OUT tomorrow vs Denver Nuggets
Michael Wallace: Two key developments at Grizz practice. 1. Parsons spoke to media for first time since injury absence, confirmed no structural damage to R knee. Soreness/swelling are down. He's day-to-day, but won't play Fri at Den. 2. Conley did 3-on-3 scrimmaging w/teammates after practice.
Parsons will miss a fifth straight game Wednesday night when the Grizzlies host the New Orleans Pelicans with little explanation from the team. He’s not been made available for interviews. When asked to speak with Parsons on Monday after practice, the Grizzlies said the forward needed to rush to a community event.
Yet the extent of Parsons’ injury remains as much a mystery as his rehab and possible timetable for a return to the court. “He’s not doing any contact stuff,” Grizzlies interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “But he’s been able to do a ton of shooting (and) conditioning, and every day we wait to see how he’s building. Things are improving. We’ll keep pushing forward.”
Ronald Tillery: Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons (lower back) is PROBABLE for Friday and guard Tyreke Evans (right hip) is QUESTIONABLE
Clay Bailey: JB said Grizz will go with the same starters as Wed game vs. Spurs. "That's the plan." ...Also said Parsons, Chalmers, and Brandan Wright all available. Monitoring minutes, but ready to go
A silver lining to Parsons' latest knee surgery, the scope of his left knee: He'd have plenty of time in the offseason to work on his frame and his game, luxuries he didn't have the past two summers when he had to focus solely on rehabbing from more serious surgeries on his right knee. "I dedicated my entire summer to my body," Parsons says. "I can't even really compare it to last year because it's night and day how my body feels, the kind of shape I'm in. I'm lean. I'm playing 5-on-5, one-on-one, 2-on-2, 3-on-3. Working out five times a week. I'm doing stuff now that basically I couldn't even do throughout the season last year. It's completely different."
"They're impressed," Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace says. "They say, first of all, his mobility is at a significantly higher level than it was last year at this time. Chandler also when we discuss his progress with him is very buoyant and upbeat about where he is. He feels that he has more lift, more explosiveness, better movement. This is really his first legitimate offseason in a couple of years."
Peter Edmiston: Chandler Parsons was a full go at the Grizzlies' morning practice. Afterwards, he said, "I feel like an actual basketball player today." Skepticism about his condition is certainly warranted but things are better this year than last.
It was nice to hear the optimism coming from any and all at Grizzlies media day whenever the topic of Parsons came up. Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace: “He’s cleared to be a full participant.” Grizzlies coach David Fizdale: “I’m not going to use kid gloves with him this year, for sure.” Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley: “He’s the X-factor for us. He’s the guy. Looking for a big year from him.”
“I did a poor job comprehending it and I was frustrated and I was cold and I was angry last year,” Parsons said. “As an athlete, as a competitor, you want to do great, you want to do special things out there, and I straight up didn’t do that last year.”
“I was a fan once. I still am a fan,” he said. “When I grew up in Orlando every time Grant Hill got hurt I got so ticked. 'This guy is soft. He doesn’t care. He makes too much money to be getting hurt.’ And now that I’m in his shoes, I just want to call him and say, 'Hey man, my bad.’” In other words, Parsons gets it. He was as frustrated with Hill as some Grizzlies fans have been with him.
Pete Pranica: Chandler Parsons: "I had fun playing basketball today" as opposed to sitting out drills last camp. #Grizzlies
The Grizzlies forced Parsons into the lineup. It cost the team at least half a dozen games. Finally, in late March, the Grizzlies pulled the plug on the whole disastrous enterprise. Parsons had played in 34 games, averaging 19.9 minutes and 6.2 points. “Awful,” is how Parsons described his play last season, as in: “I’ve never played awful for a long period of time.
Of course, Parsons made things worse by continuing with his life-of-the-party social media presence — including his much-chronicled All-Star jaunt to #Chancun — which gave some the impression that he wasn’t sufficiently bothered by his inability to live up to his big deal. “I did a poor job comprehending it and I was frustrated and I was cold and I was angry last year,” Parsons said. “As an athlete, as a competitor, you want to do great, you want to do special things out there, and I straight up didn’t do that last year.”
Michael Wallace: Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace on @Chandler Parsons: "We expect Chandler to be here fully participating in training camp in late September."
Michael Wallace: More Wallace on Parsons: "Physically, he’s where he should be. He’s now pretty close to being full steam ahead with basketball."
But it’s Vince Carter who may have the best handle on this. He played with Parsons in Dallas, and has been Parsons’ closest supporter on the team. “The most important thing for Chandler now, in my opinion, is getting Chandler right, whatever that means,” Carter said. “It’s not just his body, it's his mind. The mental, when that’s broken, when that’s beat down and needs to be fixed, that’s just as bad as a knee or ankle. While he’s trying to rehab all his injuries, this is the most important thing for him. If he comes back as a confident player, everything else will take care of itself.”
Michael Wallace: Can confirm Grizzlies small forward Chandler Parsons having meniscectomy procedure on left knee Monday, and will miss rest of season. It'll be 3rd knee procedure for Parsons in as many years. Monday's meniscus repair comes almost on anniversary of 3/25/16 repair of R knee. Parsons averaged 6.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in 34 games this season as he pushed through recovery challenges from issues with both knees.
Michael Wallace: Can tell you high hopes and optimism remain within Grizz organization about Parsons, who signed 4yr, $94 million deal last summer.
Unprompted, Fizdale took a jab at Parsons critics during the middle of his post-game media scrum. Parsons might require surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee, and the Grizzlies won their last two games without Parsons after losing five straight. “Slowly but surely it’s coming along,” Fizdale said with a smirk before adding: “Personally, I blame Chandler for everything that went wrong. I’m kidding because I know people are going to say crap like that.”
Memphis Grizzlies small forward Chandler Parsons will likely undergo season-ending surgery for the third consecutive year, sources told ESPN. The Grizzlies said Monday night that Parsons is out indefinitely with a partial tear of the meniscus in his left knee, which is not the knee he had operated on the previous two years. Sources said that a final decision on whether he needs surgery is likely to be made later this week after Parsons is further evaluated.
