Smart (finger) won't play Sunday against the Nuggets.
Smart ruptured the proximal interphalangeal joint central slip on his right hand and has been sidelined since Jan. 9. The Grizzlies were supposed to provide an update after his re-evaluation date, which was scheduled for weeks ago, but it never came. He finished the campaign with averages of 14.5 points, 4.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 three-pointers and 2.1 steals in 30.3 minutes per game over just 20 appearances.
Grizzlies' Marcus Smart: Unlikely to return this season
Rotowire
Smart (finger) is without an official timeline for a return but is likely to miss the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Smart ruptured the proximal interphalangeal joint central slip on his right hand and hasn't played since Jan. 9. At the time he suffered the injury, the Grizzlies had optimism that Smart would suit up again this season, but with Memphis firmly out of playoff contention, the team won't rush Smart back to game action. Smart has two years left on his contract and will look to make a better impression in Year 2 with Memphis after appearing in just 20 games in 2023-24. He averaged 14.5 points, 4.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 three-pointers and 2.1 steals in 30.3 minutes per game.
Grizzlies' Marcus Smart: Will be re-evaluated in three weeks
Rotowire
The Grizzlies announced Thursday that Smart (finger) will be re-evaluated in three weeks.
Smart hasn't played since Jan. 9 due to a rupture of the proximal interphalangeal joint central slip on his right hand. Though a recently re-evaluation revealed that he's healing properly, Smart will wear a splint for the next three weeks before being re-examined in mid-March. Even if he's cleared to resume on-court work following his upcoming re-evaluation, Smart will require a period of ramp-up time and may not be ready for game action until late March. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues are better off using a roster spot elsewhere rather than stashing Smart.
Grizzlies' Marcus Smart: Progressing, still lacking timeline
Rotowire
Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said Friday that Smart (finger) is progressing through the initial stages of his rehab and will be re-evaluated at some point after the All-Star break, Michael Wallace of the team's official site reports. "We'll be smart," Kleiman said when asked if Smart could return at some point this season. "We're going to make sure [Smart and Desmond Bane] are in position to be fully healthy [before playing]."
Smart hasn't played since Jan. 9, when he exited early in a win over the Mavericks and was later diagnosed with a right ring finger central slip tear. When Smart suffered the injury, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the point guard would be sidelined for approximately six weeks. Though Smart has now reached the end of that projected timeline, the Grizzlies haven't offered an indication that the 29-year-old is close to a return, and Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported Tuesday that Bane -- out since Jan. 12 with a severe left ankle sprain -- looks closer than Smart to resume playing. More clarity on a target date for Smart's return could come forth when Memphis reconvenes for practice this week, but expect his absence to stretch into March while the 20-36 Grizzlies have little incentive to rush him in the midst of a non-contending season.
An MRI revealed Smart suffered a severe right ring finger injury, which will sideline him for approximately six weeks, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
The bad news keeps piling up for Memphis. After losing Ja Morant (shoulder) for the remainder of the season, it appears Smart will be sidelined through the All-Star break. The veteran is in the midst of a solid season, averaging 14.5 points, 4.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. With both of Memphis' starting guards on the shelf, Derrick Rose's (thigh) and Jacob Gilyard's availabilities matter more than ever. However, it's essential to note Gilyard is on a two-way deal, and Rose has trouble staying healthy. We could see more Desmond Bane at point guard, opening more playing time for Luke Kennard, Ziaire Williams, John Konchar and Vince Williams. Fantasy managers should place Smart in an injured reserve slot, but don't be surprised if the team plays it extremely cautiously with injuries down the stretch, given there's almost no chance they climb the standings to Play-In contention.
