Brandon Clarke. Image via: NBA.com
Ja Morant’s teammate, Brandon Clarke, has landed in unexpected trouble, with the Memphis Grizzlies forward arrested in Arkansas on Wednesday. The development adds an off-court concern for Memphis at a time when the team is already navigating a challenging stretch late in the season.Clarke has barely featured this year due to injuries, and just as his recovery remained uncertain, this situation surfaced. It shifts attention away from his rehab and onto legal questions that now surround his immediate future.
Ja Morant’s teammate Brandon Clarke arrested in Arkansas
According to records from the Cross County Sheriff’s Department, Clarke was booked on Wednesday afternoon on multiple charges. These include speeding, improper passing, fleeing, possession of a controlled substance, and trafficking a controlled substance.
A booking photo was also released as part of the report.
Details remain limited, and it is still unclear how the situation will unfold. Memphis head coach Tuomas Iisalo kept his response brief before the team’s game against New York, saying, “I’m aware of the report, but don’t have any comments.”For Clarke, this marks a difficult turn in what has already been a disrupted season. The 29-year-old has spent his entire NBA career with Memphis since being drafted in 2019 and has been a steady presence when healthy.
This incident, however, puts that stability into question.
Brandon Clarke’s injury update
Even before the arrest, Clarke’s season had effectively come to an early end. Injuries have limited him to just two appearances, where he averaged modest numbers while trying to regain rhythm. A right knee issue delayed his start, and just as he returned briefly in December, a calf strain forced him back to the sidelines.The Grizzlies confirmed on March 24 that Clarke would miss the remainder of the season.
Medical evaluations showed he needed more time before returning to what the team described as “high-intensity court work.” That decision closed the door on any late-season comeback.It has been a frustrating stretch for a player who once brought energy and consistency off the bench. Over the past few years, injuries have repeatedly interrupted his progress, including a serious Achilles setback in 2023.Now, instead of focusing solely on recovery and a fresh start next season, Clarke faces a different kind of challenge. Memphis, meanwhile, continues to push forward, hoping to stay competitive while one of its longest-tenured players deals with issues far removed from the court.
