The Memphis Grizzlies will have to play their next games without All-Star and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol, who was diagnosed with a medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain in his left knee and would be out indefinitely, the team announced on Saturday.
The injury happened last Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs when Gasol was defending against Jeff Ayres. Although they jostled for position, it appeared that there was no blow to Gasol's left knee. After Ayres scored, Gasol came up limping and clutching his leg.
USA Today is reporting that sources with knowledge of Gasol's injury fear that the Spaniard could be out for 10 to 12 weeks.
The injury is the latest debacle for the Grizzlies, which has been struggling early in the season. Gasol is second in the team in points, rebounds and assists while leading the Grizzlies in blocks. The Spaniard has also ben quite durable during his career, missing only four games since the 2010-11 season and playing 239 out of a possible 243 regular season games.
With their center out indefinitely, the Grizzlies will have to rely on young center Kosta Koufos who was acquired during an offseason trade with the Denver Nuggets. Koufos was the starting center for Denver last year and was shipped for Darrell Arthur and Joffrey Lauvergne. Memphis may also play fourth year power forward Ed Davis more minutes at the slot.
The Grizzlies started the season 3-5 although has recovered with four straight road wins before their loss to the Spurs on Friday night.
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