After being helped off the court in the Grizzlies’ season opener on Wednesday, forward JaMychal Green underwent an MRI on his injured left ankle and the results came back clean, reports Shams Charania of The Vertical (Twitter link). Although the MRI showed no structural damage, Green will likely be sidelined for several weeks with an ankle sprain, according to Charania.
TNT’s David Aldridge provides a few more details, tweeting that Green has a bone bruise in addition to his high ankle sprain. Green is expected to be out for three or four weeks, a source tells Aldridge.
Green, who was a restricted free agent this past summer, remained unsigned for most of the offseason before finally agreeing to terms with the Grizzlies on a new two-year deal late in September. The 27-year-old power forward, who was the last RFA on the board for 2017, received a contract worth $8MM+ per year for the next two seasons.
After taking over for Zach Randolph as the club’s starting power forward in 2016/17, Green enjoyed a breakout season for the Grizzlies. He established new career highs in several categories, including PPG (8.9), RPG (7.1), FG% (.500), and 3PT% (.379). With Randolph heading to Sacramento in free agency this offseason, Green was expected to be leaned on more than ever in Memphis, but the team will have to get by without him for the next little while.
[RELATED: Memphis Grizzlies’ depth chart at RosterResource.com]
While Green recovers from his ankle injury, players like Brandan Wright, Chandler Parsons, and Jarell Martin may see increased minutes for the Grizzlies. Youngsters Deyonta Davis and Ivan Rabb could move up the depth chart as well — the club has no shortage of depth at the power forward spot.
Green will join Ben McLemore, who is recovering from a foot injury, as Grizzlies veterans on the shelf.
That’s a big injury to them…I’m wondering if the shorter training camp/preseason is leading to these injuries.
Parsons is going to have to do something for them during this stretch.
Shortened by 1 week I think. It does seem like there’s been a lot of injuries. Green is a surprise.