Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart has sustained a severe right ring finger injury and will be sidelined for approximately six weeks.
Smart suffered the injury against the Dallas Mavericks on January 9.
The Grizzlies acquired Smart from the Boston Celtics last offseason in a three-team trade with the Washington Wizards. Smart has appeared in 20 games this season. He’s averaging 14.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.3 blocks while shooting 43.0% from the field, 31.3% from beyond the arc and 76.8% from the free-throw line.
The Grizzlies are in 13th place in the Western Conference standings. They will likely miss the playoffs since superstar point guard Ja Morant is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Morant underwent season-ending shoulder surgery today.
Smart has career averages of 10.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Celtics and Grizzlies. He has made three All-Defensive teams.
Along with Morant and Smart, the Grizzlies are without Derrick Rose, Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke. It has been a difficult season for Memphis injury-wise.
Smart is making $18.6 million this season. He signed a four-year, $76.5 million extension with the Celtics in August 2021.
Before Smart got hurt against the Mavericks, some people around the NBA listed the veteran as a possible trade candidate for contending teams. It’s doubtful a playoff team will trade for Smart now since he’s going to be out for six weeks. The trade deadline is on February 9.
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