Around the NBA Notes: Grizzlies’ Injuries, Waiters, Green, Curry, Embiid

This time of year in the NBA means teams are in the thick of the NBA Playoffs race or preparing for the NBA Draft. Playoff hopefuls like the Portland Trail Blazers are hoping an injury doesn’t derail their season, while contenders are looking to upgrade their options. Let’s take a look around the league:

• The Memphis Grizzlies have caught the injury bug, losing both Jaren Jackson Jr. (sprained left knee) and Brandon Clarke (right quadriceps injury) for at least two weeks. Memphis currently holds the last playoff spot in the West, up three games from the No. 9 Blazers.
• Free agent Dion Waiters is meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers on March 2, per Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes. Marc Stein of the New York Times notes Waiters would be playoff-eligible:

• After initially signing a 10-day contract, forward Jeff Green is joining the Rockets for the rest of the season, per Jordan Schultz of ESPN.
• Injured Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is expected to make his return to the floor on Sunday against the Wizards, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Curry hasn’t played since breaking his hand during a game on Oct. 30.
• Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid has been fined $25K for flipping the bird at Kevin Huerter and using “profane language” during an interview, the league announced.
• New York Knicks rookie RJ Barrett told reporters that he’s actually right-handed but shoots with his left. Laura Albanese of Newsday has the details:

• And finally, the league announced that Game 1 of the Finals is set for June 4.