Memphis Grizzlies Provide Update on Kyle Anderson’s Injury Status

The injury bug continues to bite the Memphis Grizzlies as Kyle Anderson is expected to miss multiple games during the toughest stretch of the season’s schedule.

Injuries have been abundant for the Memphis Grizzlies in the current 2018-19 season. What else is new for the franchise? On Saturday, Kyle Anderson became the latest to take a seat on the sideline in dress clothes.

Late in the first half of the Grizzlies’ 112-108 road loss to the Miami Heat, Anderson suffered a severely-sprained ankle while playing defense. As he planted his foot to follow the offensive player around a screen, his left foot slipped and twisted.

Kyle Anderson was unable to return to action on Saturday, and with the Memphis Grizzlies’ update on his status that arrived in the afternoon hours, he will continue to miss time as he makes a full recovery.

Much like the recent injury to Dillon Brooks, this occurrence takes place as Kyle Anderson was reaching his peak performance this season. Just five games ago, Kyle recorded the first triple-double of his young NBA career and the first triple-double for any of the Grizzlies’ players in 2018-19.

In recent weeks, Anderson has clearly been Memphis’ best passer. He has had a special connection on the court with rookie Jaren Jackson Jr., finding him frequently in excellent post position on trips down the floor, leading to two-point buckets by the star rookie.

Grizz Nation has really started to realize the value behind Kyle Anderson and the large sum of money the Front Office tossed his direction during the offseason. Now, his value will surely become highlighted with his absence during perhaps the toughest stretch of the Grizzlies’ schedule arriving on Monday as the team travels to face off against the Houston Rockets.

Assuming the two- to four-week timeline holds steady for Anderson’s return to the hardwood, he would be looking at a return date of January 28th at home against the Denver Nuggets or as long as February 12th at home versus the San Antonio Spurs — his former club.

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Monday’s game against the Rockets will be the second time in three meetings that Kyle Anderson has sat with an injury. One has to wonder how the outcomes (end result plus James Harden‘s point total) may differ with Anderson’s stifling defense in the lineup.

For the Memphis Grizzlies, an open roster spot remains, Chandler Parsons is away from the team as the Front Office works on an ultimate resolution, and Dillon Brooks is out with season-ending surgery following a toe injury.

This once-deep roster is being battle tested and it has them sitting next-to-last in the Western Conference heading into Monday’s road matchup. Thank goodness for the “strength in versatility” that Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff discussed prior to the season. Expect JaMychal Green, Omri Casspi, and others to have expanded roles given Anderson’s absence.

The odds are becoming more likely — seemingly by the day — that the Grizzlies will have to look at their options via 10-day contract offer to bridge their gaps in order to remain competitive and in the thick of the playoff race.