Grizzlies' Tony Allen out a least 1 more week with hamstring injury
After comfortably holding the Western Conference's No. 2 seed for three months, a recent swoon has the Memphis Grizzlies in a five-team dogfight at the top of the conference playoff bracket.
The Grizzlies sit third, but just two games currently separate the sixth-place San Antonio Spurs from the second-place Houston Rockets. With five games to play, Memphis could have a difficult time holding onto homecourt advantage, as their best perimeter defender isn't expected back any time soon.
The hamstring injury that's kept shooting guard Tony Allen out of the last four games will keep him sidelined for at least another week, according to head coach Dave Joerger. Allen has reportedly been unable to practice or participate in contact drills.
Allen's superficial stats - 8.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, two steals - aren't overwhelming, but his impact on the Grizzlies is incalculable. They're 46-17 when he plays, compared to 6-8 when he sits, he has the best net rating on the team and the difference between the Grizzlies with him on the floor and without him is basically the difference between the Golden State Warriors and the Charlotte Hornets.
| Grizzlies | O-Rating | D-Rating | Net Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Allen | 107.8 | 97.5 | 10.3 |
| Without Allen | 103.9 | 106.5 | -2.6 |
(Courtesy: Basketball-Reference)
Allen will be re-evaluated in a week, and if he's fully healed by then, he could be ready to participate in the penultimate regular season game against the Warriors on April 13.