Tuesday night, the Memphis Grizzlies took on the Dallas Mavericks for the last bout of their three-game road trip, and, to much delight, they pulled away victorious, besting their divisional rival by a final score of 120-103.
It was an overall strong showing on both ends of the floor for Taylor Jenkins' squad, and one of the main catalysts in their winning ways was Marcus Smart who was once again entrusted to lead to charge on offense at the point guard position with Ja Morant now out for the remainder of the season.
Unfortunately, the veteran was held to just 21 minutes on the evening, as he was pulled early in the third period due to a dislocated finger, though his efforts during this time proved to be just enough to keep momentum on Memphis' side.
Following the contest, head coach Taylor Jenkins was asked to provide insight into Smart's ailment and noted to reporters that while he had not been issued any long-term information, he expects it to come in the next couple of days.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins talks Marcus Smart's finger injury
"No immediate news. Obviously, [the] injury [is] to be further evaluated. He'll probably get checked out tomorrow and we'll have more of an update then."Taylor Jenkins on Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart knocks down a three with a dislocated finger!
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 10, 2024
Last 3 games (all wins)
23 PTS, 4 3PT (56% FG)
25 PTS, 8 AST, 4 3PT, 3 STL
29 PTS, 8 3PT, 5 AST (56% FG)pic.twitter.com/UZrbrb26gP
Interestingly enough, Smart was able to stay in the game a bit longer after initially sustaining the injury, even knocking down a major three-pointer mid-way through the third before being pulled. Of course, soon after, he was taken out and was ruled inactive for the final quarter and a half of action.
He would go on to finish his night off with a stellar stat line of 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals while shooting 56.3 percent from the floor and 50.0 percent from deep.
With Morant out for the rest of 2023-24, the hope now is that Smart will be able to stave off any missed time as a result of the dislocation and provide much needed availability to the point guard spot that has been absolutely decimated by injuries this year
Of course, as Jenkins stated in his postgame presser, more information on the matter is expected to come in the not-too-distant future.