Key players receive major injury updates ahead of Grizzlies-Lakers

On By Littum

While their roster isn’t dealing with as many injury issues as the New Orleans Pelicans, the Memphis Grizzlies have battled injury battles of their own to start the 2024-25 campaign. That said, an update from the team on Tuesday revealed that some key players are trending back on the hardwood.

In a release shared by Memphis Grizzlies PR on X, it was announced that former Defensive Player of the Year guard Marcus Smart has been upgraded to questionable for Wednesday’s contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. In addition, the Grizzlies’ breakout player from last season, Vince Williams Jr., has been upgraded to questionable after starting the season with a left leg injury.

Smart has missed more than half of Memphis’ games this season as he has struggled to establish his offensive production through five games with a 23.5/16.7/81.8 shooting split on 5.6 points per game. Since joining the Grizzlies in the 2023 offseason, Smart has appeared in just 25 of a possible 93 games.

As for Williams Jr., he had his breakthrough last year for Memphis, averaging 10.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while starting 33 of his 53 games. Williams suffered his left leg injury in September before training camp.

The Lakers and Grizzlies last met a week ago, winning at home 131-114. They enter this rematch without Ja Morant, who is out for at least a week with hip and pelvis injuries.

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