Duke basketball sharpshooter misses embarrassing elimination loss

Duke basketball sharpshooter Luke Kennard was absent from Memphis’ blowout loss. 

It was a tough night for the Memphis Grizzlies in an elimination game against the Los Angeles Lakers and news prior to the game about Duke basketball standout Luke Kennard did not make things any better.

Kennard was ruled out for Game 6 between the two teams due to a shoulder injury he sustained in Game 5.

The NBA’s best 3-point shooter collied with LeBron James during Memphis’ win, 116-99.

Kennard did not use his left arm, his dormant hand, during the Grizzlies portion of practice that was open to the media as many thought it could have been a sign of gamesmanship from the veteran.

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However, shortly before tipoff he was officially ruled out by the team as the Lakers would rout the Grizzlies, 125-85, to advance to the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs and await either the Golden State Warriors or the Sacramento Kings.

Kennard didn’t receive a high volume of shots when he was on the court in the series but managed to average 7.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 52.2-percent from the floor and 50.0-percent from 3-point range.

The former Blue Devil went for 13 points on 3-of-4 shooting from distance during Memphis’ Game 2 victory.

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Luke Kennard shot 54.0-percent from 3-point range with the Memphis Grizzlies this season in 24 games after being a trade deadline acquisition from the Los Angeles Clippers.

Kennard shot 44.7-percent from deep with the Clippers as he connected on 49.4-percent of his 3-pointers this season, a career high.

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The Franklin, Ohio native averaged a total of 9.3 points per game with his two teams but posted 11.3 points per contest with Memphis.

Luke Kennard is under contract next season with the Grizzlies before he has a club option ahead of the 2024-25 season and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025.