The latest on Marcus Smart's injury and when he may debut for the Memphis Grizzlies
Nervousness builds with each passing day as fans await Marcus Smart's debut with the Memphis Grizzlies, and they will need to wait a little bit longer.
Smart will not be able to play in Thursday's away game against the Atlanta Hawks, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said after Wednesday's practice.
The former defensive player of the year was acquired this offseason to help solidify the starting lineup in Ja Morant's absence and be the defensive ace on the perimeter. Early reviews on Smart's practice habits were strong, but the 10-year veteran is currently sidelined by an abdominal soreness injury.
Smart missed Saturday's open practice and the first two preseason games, even though Jenkins said the injury is "nothing serious." Operating with caution is a common approach for the Grizzlies, especially with a preseason injury.
Jenkins clarified Smart's status Wednesday.
"He did a little bit more on the court today," Jenkins said. "The soreness is starting to dissipate a little bit. Obviously important to get him out there, but we're not going to compromise his health and all that, so we'll just see how it kind of transpires the next couple of days."
Jenkins added later: "He's fully engaged in practice; he's just not getting the full reps right now."
When he's on the floor, Smart is one of the NBA's most disruptive perimeter defenders. He was voted the third-best such player in the NBA in a recent survey of general managers.
Being on the floor hasn't always been a given. Smart has missed at least 20 games in two of the past three seasons.
"I wouldn't say he's fragile by any means, but he is banged-up all the time because he is diving on the floor and doing all these things," Celtics beat writer Souichi Terada told The Commercial Appeal this summer about Smart.
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The Grizzlies have three preseason games remaining, all on the road. They'll play the Hawks on Thursday, the Heat on Sunday, and finish with the Bucks on Oct. 20.
Regular-season action begins Oct. 25 against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum (7 p.m.). The Grizzlies expect Smart will be available then.
"We'll see at the tail of this road trip how the ramp-up period goes, but we still got a couple more opportunities," Jenkins said.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies update Marcus Smart's injury status, when he'll play
