Grizzlies Announce Marcus Smart Sidelined ‘Several Weeks'

The former Celtic had to get helped off the court Tuesday night during the Grizzlies' game against the Lakers.

Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Memphis Grizzlies guard and former Boston Celtics floor general Marcus Smart is expected to miss three to five weeks due to a left ankle injury.

When the Los Angeles Lakers hosted Memphis in their In-Season Tournament matchup Tuesday night, Austin Reaves tried to make a play by finding Anthony Davis. Smart leaped to attempt to contest the lob to Davis as he landed on Reaves' foot with what looked like an ugly turn of the foot for the 29-year-old. He could not put any pressure on it, as he had to be helped back to the locker room.

Smart returned to the bench in good spirits. Grizzlies' head coach Taylor Jenkins recently stated that Smart's injury was "nothing too serious," prior to the report of his expected long absence.

In his first year with Memphis, Smart has averaged 12.5 points, 5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds after a career-best start numbers-wise with 20 or more points in his first four contests. He has shot 42.9 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from three in 29.9 minutes across 11 games, for a true-shooting percentage of 53.4.

This could not have come at a worse time for the Grizzlies, who are without Ja Morant due to his suspension for 14 more games, sitting at 2-9. Memphis is also without their center Steven Adams for the season, and Brandon Clarke has no timeline for his return, following his torn Achilles in March.

Smart's presence has been extremely crucial and valuable both on and off the court, especially with pieces of their engine continuously falling off. It is difficult to call a season a disaster or wrap prior to the holidays or far from the midway point, but Memphis' 0-6 start has only grown worse at 2-9 in a loaded West with the team piling on the losses of more key pieces.

Smart was expected to face Boston for the first time Sunday night in Memphis, but his awaited matchup with the Celtics will have to be put on hold. His next opportunity will be Feb. 4, when the Grizzlies visit Boston. Celtic fans have had their calendars circled for Smart's return to Boston.

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