Grizzlies Gasol out indefinitely with broken right foot
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Grizzlies center Marc Gasol is out indefinitely with a broken bone in his right foot after an MRI exam found the fracture earlier Tuesday.
The Grizzlies said in a statement that Gasol was examined by team physicians Tuesday morning.
''Marc is a cornerstone of our franchise, and we are focused on getting him healthy,'' general manager Chris Wallace said in a statement. ''Marc will be out indefinitely and a further update will be provided after the All-Star break.''
The 7-foot-1 Gasol is averaging 16.6 points and 7.0 rebounds in 52 games this season. He left Monday night's overtime loss to Portland in the first quarter after scoring 11 points and did not return. Coach Dave Joerger said after the game that Gasol had a problem with each leg.
Gasol signed a five-year contract last July after earning a starting spot in the All-Star game last season and also became the first Grizzlies player voted to the All-NBA first team.
The Grizzlies (30-22) ranked fifth in the West going into Tuesday nights' games and have made the playoffs the past five seasons.
''I know he's disappointed,'' Joerger told The Commercial Appeal. ''It's bad for our team. This is a tight bunch of dudes. They care about each other. It hurts everybody. Marc is a guy who lays it out there for his teammates and the fans. We're going to fight, scratch and claw.''