Memphis Grizzlies: Winslow injured, out for season

The Memphis Grizzlies announced on Tuesday that forward Justise Winslow would be out for the rest of the season with a hip injury.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Justise Winslow sustained a hip injury during a team practice, and would be ruled out for the rest of the season. The team announced on Tuesday that Winslow got the injury from contact during an intrasquad scrimmage that saw Winslow fall to the court.

The injury comes at a poor time for the Grizzlies, as Memphis is set to play their first game in the 2019-2020 season resumption next Friday, on July 31st. The team, players, and fans alike were all hoping to see Winslow’s Grizzlies debut, as the team decided to take a risk on the injured forward in a February trade, and hasn’t seen the court since the then. Winslow addressed the injury in a Twitter post the same day:

Last season, Winslow averaged 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 29.7 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range. This season, Winslow marked his numbers at 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 0.6 steals per game with just 11 games played. Memphis saw the number Winslow had put out these last two seasons, the two best in his young career, and decided to risk their summer financial flexibility to bring on Dion Waiters and Gorgui Dieng to acquire Winslow.

The Grizzlies were at the risk of having to restructure their lineup, with having to find a way to balance both Winslow and the returning Brandon Clarke, and it may actually be a stroke of luck for the young team that they will be able to return to their original lineup once the season resumes.

Memphis announced Tuesday, alongside the injury announcement, the Winslow was scheduled to make a full recovery and is set to make his debut at the start of the 2020-2021 season.