Grizzlies Marc Gasol to miss rest of season after surgery

Posted February 23, 2016 6:00 am

The Associated Press

FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2016, file photo, Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol claps from the bench in the second half of an NBA basketball game, in Memphis, Tenn. Grizzlies center Marc Gasol will miss the rest of this season after having surgery to repair his broken right foot. The Grizzlies announced Tuesday morning, Feb. 23, 2016, that Gasol had surgery Saturday to repair the non-displaced fracture of a navicular bone in the centerâs right foot. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill, File) The Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Grizzlies center Marc Gasol will miss the rest of this season after having surgery to repair his broken right foot.

The Grizzlies announced Tuesday that Gasol had surgery on Saturday. General manager Chris Wallace said in a statement that a full recovery is expected.

"Marc's determination and competitive spirit will serve him, his family and the team well as he begins the healing and rehab process from which we expect him to make a full recovery," Wallace said. "We are confident we will have Marc back anchoring our team next season and beyond."

Gasol signed a five-year contract last July after earning a starting spot in the All-Star game last season. He also was the first Grizzlies player voted to the All-NBA first team.

The 7-foot-1, 255-pound center averaged 16.6 points and 7.0 rebounds in 52 games this season. He scored 11 points in the first quarter Feb. 8 against Portland before leaving with the injury.

"It is frustrating to not be on the court with my teammates at this time," Gasol said in a statement released by the Grizzlies. "But I understand that the focus of this process is on long-term health and stability. I look forward to the road ahead and a full and successful recovery."

The Grizzlies, 32-23 and fifth in the Western Conference, have made the playoffs each of the past five seasons. Memphis has won two of three games without Gasol and made two trades last week adding center Chris Andersen, P.J. Hairston and Lance Stephenson in exchange for Courtney Lee and Jeff Green.

"We know this is a difficult time for Marc and want to be supportive of him during his recovery," Grizzlies guard Mike Conley said. "His presence is still felt greatly within the locker room, and even while he is sidelined, he is still leading us as we push forward."

FILE - This is a Sept. 20, 2014, file photo showing Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol posed for a photo during the team's NBA basketball media day in Memphis, Tenn. Grizzlies center Marc Gasol will miss the rest of this season after having surgery to repair his broken right foot. The Grizzlies announced Tuesday morning, Feb. 23, 2016, that Gasol had surgery Saturday to repair the non-displaced fracture of a navicular bone in the centerâs right foot. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2016, file photo, Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans. Grizzlies center Marc Gasol will miss the rest of this season after having surgery to repair his broken right foot. The Grizzlies announced Tuesday morning, Feb. 23, 2016, that Gasol had surgery Saturday to repair the non-displaced fracture of a navicular bone in the centerâs right foot. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Basketball Content Providers NBA Pro Sports Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.