The Grizzlies' Jordan Adams

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By Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal

This just in: Grizzlies second-year guard Jordan Adams is alive.

You might not have known that given the Grizzlies have signed four players, three of whom are guards, to 10-day contracts in the past week.

Adams strolled out of the team’s shootaround Wednesday morning as the Griz prepared to face the Minnesota Timberwolves at 7 p.m. in FedExForum.

This reporter approached Adams to talk. Seemed like a good idea because this is as good a time as any for Adams to get some run, right?

The 21-year-old had minor knee surgery during the second week of January and was expected to play this season.

To his credit, Adams stopped to talk. Then, the Grizzlies’ athletic trainer freaked out and yelled for the media relations director. I was told Adams couldn’t talk and that the rule is players who don’t participate in shootaround are unavailable to media.

Got it. That’s been the mode of operation all season.

Players who don’t practice on non-game days are also prohibited from doing interviews, according to Griz officials. But it’s been nine weeks since Adams’ surgery so just what are the Grizzlies hiding in terms of his rehabilitation?

Adams told me in a Dec. 23 interview that he would not require another surgery despite being unavailable to play this season due to a procedure that repaired the meniscus in his right knee.

Yet the Griz announced another surgery on Jan. 8.

Today, you can’t get a straight answer regarding Adams’ recovery even as they bring in various Johns and Joes to play instead of evaluating a first-round pick.

Griz general manager Chris Wallace went on radio this morning and only said that there is no timetable for Adams’ return but he’s progressing.

Yes, I can report that Adams can put one foot in front of the other to get where he needs to go.

Griz coach Dave Joerger mercifully tried to give me a reasonable response.

“I have no idea of (Adams playing) this year or not or in summer league … I have no indication yet of where he’s at,” Joerger said.

If you see Adams on the street then maybe he’ll tell you.

Every game day we’ll clue you in on a few buzzy items dealing with the Griz and their opponent.

Here are “3 Things to Know for Your Griz Day.”

1. Meet the Grizzlies’ latest acquisition: Xavier Munford of the NBA Development League’s Bakersfield Jam signed a 10-day contract with P.J. Hairston expected to miss two weeks because of a hamstring injury.

2. Minnesota’s young swingman Andrew Wiggins has shot 58.8 percent against Memphis this season and averaged 21.3 points in the last four meetings. Wiggins is averaging 23.2 points and shooting 55.3 percent in his last five games overall.

3. The Griz have been held to less than 85 points in two straight games while shooting 37.8 percent in the past four contests. They have given up an average of 111.2 points and 47.3 shooting in the last six outings. Lance Stephenson (right wrist sprain) and Vince Carter (left calf strain) are questionable.

There you go. A sample of what you need to know to get an early start on your Griz day.