Marc Gasol suffers left ankle sprain; X-rays negative
Deep breaths, Grizzlies fans.
Memphis's superstar center, Marc Gasol, sustained a left ankle sprain in the first quarter of Saturday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, leaving the game not to return.
Gasol went to the locker room to get the ankle re-taped, but was ultimately ruled out at halftime for the remainder of the contest.
He wore a walking boot on his left foot as he departed Staples Center, but a Grizzlies spokesman said X-rays taken on the ankle came back negative, according to ESPN.
Asked if he would be available to play in the team's next game - against the league-best Golden State Warriors on Monday night - he said, "If possible, I will get myself ready to play."
The Grizzlies are also dealing with injuries to both Tony Allen (hamstring) and Mike Conley (foot), and are stumbling into the postseason with little to no momentum. They currently hold the Western Conference's No. 2 seed, but the Clippers and San Antonio Spurs now have identical records with two games to play.
Losing Gasol for any stretch of time would exponentially compound the Grizzlies' worries. He's their linchpin, and one of the best defenders in the league. He anchors Memphis's fourth-ranked defense.
Gasol is also a tremendous midrange shooter, an excellent facilitator, a strong post presence and a trusty release valve in the Grizzlies' oft-stagnant offense.
On the year, Gasol is averaging 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 blocks in 33.6 minutes per game.