Marcus Smart to Miss Several Games With Sprained Ankle

Grizzlies Guard Suffers Injury in Win Over Pelicans

Smart Exits Game in Third Quarter

Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart is expected to miss several games after spraining his ankle in the team's 112-109 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

Smart suffered the injury with 5:34 remaining in the third quarter when he stepped on the foot of Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram while defending him on the perimeter.

Smart immediately grabbed his ankle and fell to the ground in pain. He was helped to the locker room and did not return to the game.

The Grizzlies announced after the game that Smart had suffered a sprained ankle and would undergo an MRI on Saturday to determine the severity of the injury.

The loss of Smart is a big blow to the Grizzlies, who are currently in seventh place in the Western Conference with a 17-13 record.

Smart is one of the team's best defenders and is also a key contributor on offense, averaging 11.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game this season.

With Smart out, the Grizzlies will likely turn to Tyus Jones and De'Anthony Melton to fill his spot in the starting lineup.

Jones has started 12 games for the Grizzlies this season and is averaging 9.0 points and 4.8 assists per game. Melton has started seven games and is averaging 8.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.

The Grizzlies will be back in action on Sunday night when they host the Los Angeles Lakers.