Grizzlies’ Marcus Smart out 3-5 weeks with left foot sprain

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Grizzlies’ guard Marcus Smart is set to sit out for three to five weeks due to a sprained left foot, further exacerbating the team’s already lengthy injury list.

The Grizzlies released additional information about Smart’s injury on Friday, revealing that the guard and the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year sustained the injury during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.

Smart, who was acquired via a trade this offseason, currently ranks third on the Grizzlies in scoring with an average of 12.5 points per game. Additionally, he leads the team in assists and steals, and had been one of the few players to have participated in all of the team’s first 11 games alongside Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and David Roddy.

Memphis is already grappling with the absence of two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant, who is serving a 25-game suspension, and center Steven Adams, who has been ruled out for the season due to knee surgery. Furthermore, Brandon Clarke is still recovering from a torn left Achilles tendon sustained last March.

Additionally, the Grizzlies have declared Xavier Tillman Sr. and Luke Kennard out due to knee injuries, while rookie GG Jackson II is unavailable for Saturday night’s game. Guard Derrick Rose is also questionable after missing seven games with a knee injury.

Despite being the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference for the past two seasons, the Grizzlies currently find themselves at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 2-9 record.

Smart, who spent his entire career with the Celtics before joining Memphis, would have faced his former team in an upcoming game this Sunday at FedEx Forum.

Morant is expected to be back from his suspension on Dec. 19 against the New Orleans Pelicans, which coincides with the projected timeline for Smart’s return.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.