The Memphis Grizzlies announced Thursday that guard Tony Allen will be out indefinitely with a right calf strain, and a source told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon that the veteran is unlikely to play in the team’s opening-round series against the San Antonio Spurs.
Allen suffered the injury during the first quarter of Memphis’ 100-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Wednesday’s regular-season finale, when he was inadvertently kicked in the calf.
Memphis guard Tony Allen strained his right calf in the regular-season finale and will miss the start of the playoffs.
The team announced that Allen will be continually re-evaluated, “while beginning rehab immediately.” The team also announced it would provide further updates as more information becomes available.
The Grizzlies didn’t go into specifics after Allen was hurt Wednesday. He left the game immediately, after playing just the first five minutes.
“Hearing me play doctor right now, I don’t think it’s a big injury or anything like that,” coach David Fizdale said after Wednesday’s game. “Obviously, it scared the crap out of us when he got kicked. We’re going to assess it, see what happens and go from there.”
Allen averaged 9.1 points in 27 minutes per game this season, and Memphis has been successful this season utilizing the 35-year-old to defend San Antonio top scorer Kawhi Leonard, who has shot 23-of-54 in three games against the Grizzlies.
“It’s an unfortunate injury for Tony and the team,” general manager Chris Wallace said, according to the team’s official website. “With treatment and recovery, we hope to get him back as soon as possible.”
Courtesy:ESPN.com
