Things were already looking bad for the Memphis Grizzlies but they have just gotten even worse.
The team announced on Thursday that Marcus Smart will miss at least six weeks due to an injury to his right ring finger.
Smart was officially diagnosed with a rupture of the proximal interphalangeal joint central and the team said that he will be reevaluated in six weeks.
The @memgrizz today announced the following medical update. pic.twitter.com/38T9Yxmv2T
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) January 11, 2024
This injury couldn’t come at a worse time, as the Grizzlies are already in a very tough spot and the loss of Smart could make it even tougher.
This is his first season with the Grizzlies and he is averaging 14.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on 43% from the field and 31.3% from the three-point line.
When he was brought to the team in the summer, he was seen as a second option behind Ja Morant, who, of course, missed the first 25 games of the season because of his suspension by the league.
Morant was able to rejoin the team and play for nine games but then he injured himself as well and will miss the remainder of the year.
When that was announced, most fans agreed that the team’s chances of making the playoffs were mostly gone.
The loss of Smart enforces that opinion among many.
The Grizzlies are currently the 13th team in the West with a 14-23 record.
They still have a lot of talent on the team even without Morant and Smart but this season has proven that Morant is the glue that holds the squad together.
With Morant gone for the rest of the year and now Smart missing time too, things are looking very bleak for Memphis.
NEXT: Ja Morant Has 3-Word Message Amid Rehab Process