Grizzlies suffer another brutal injury blow to important starter
May 3, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins watches during the first half in game two of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
The universe is treating the Memphis Grizzlies rather cruelly right now.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Thursday that Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart has suffered a severe injury to his right ring finger. As a result, Smart will be sidelined for roughly six weeks, Charania adds.
The former Defensive Player of the Year Smart appears to have sustained the injury during a win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. Video went viral of Smart hitting a three-pointer and then immediately going to the bench for medical attention for the seemingly dislocated finger.
Marcus Smart went back to the Grizzlies locker room with an apparent finger injury after making this three.
Hope he’s alright 🙏pic.twitter.com/n3ZBq2MmZu
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 10, 2024
This news comes just three days after fellow Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was revealed to have a significant shoulder injury that will now sideline him for the remainder of the season (after playing in just nine games following his suspension). Grizzlies veterans Derrick Rose, Steven Adams, and Brandon Clarke are in the midst of extended injury absences of their own as well.
On top of it all, Smart, who was also recently playing through an injury to his other hand, will now potentially be sidelined until March. As Memphis sits at 14-23 on the season (4.5 games out of the play-in picture), it is probably safe to say that their season is cooked, unfortunately.