Marcus Smart to have finger injury reevaluated in two weeks

Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart will be reevaluated in two weeks after suffering a partial tear of the proximal extensor hood of his right index finger, the team announced (via Twitter).

Smart hurt his finger during last Saturday’s game against Atlanta. He left in the second quarter and didn’t return, according to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal.

After injuries limited him to 20 games in 2023-24, Smart has already missed 14 of the team’s first 32 games this season. He has struggled to score when he’s been able to play, averaging 9.2 points per game, his lowest mark in six years, while shooting .373 from the field and .333 from three-point range.

There have been rumors that the Grizzlies would like to find a taker for Smart’s contract, which has one more season remaining at $21.6M, but they may not get many takers considering his decreased production and recent injury history.

Memphis plays seven games over the next two weeks, starting with Sunday’s contest at Oklahoma City. Smart could be back for the Jan. 13 game at Houston if he’s able to return immediately after being reevaluated.

The Grizzlies also revealed that forward Santi Aldama has been diagnosed with a sprained left ankle he suffered Thursday against Toronto. He’s considered week-to-week.

Aldama is averaging career highs of 13.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in his fourth year with Memphis.