The fate of the Memphis Grizzlies season rests in the hands of their trio of big name starters in Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and Chandler Parsons. Unfortunately, they’ll start the season with only one of them fully healthy.
Mike Conley has a clean bill of health coming off an achilles injury but his other two big money starters are on varying levels of returning to health. Marc Gasol is recovering from foot surgery and is close to 100% but the Grizzlies want to take it slow with him. Big name free agent acquisition Chandler Parsons has still not recovered from his offseason knee surgery. To also add to the injury list, reserve big man Brandan Wright is also not fully healthy after an ankle issue. Not a great way to start a season with such high expectations.
Both Parsons and Wright will miss the Grizzlies opening game against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Gasol will be on a minutes restriction.
Following from Mike Wallace of Grind City Media.
Fizdale confirms after Tip-off Luncheon that Chandler Parsons (knee rehab) and Brandan Wright (ankle) will sit out Wed's opener vs Twolves. pic.twitter.com/lyG9yrMaT7
— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) October 24, 2016
Fizdale also indicates Marc Gasol (foot) to be on relative minutes restriction as season starts. Tony Allen (knee) expected to play opener.
— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) October 24, 2016
Well, at least there’s a shining light of Marc Gasol almost at 100% health. This Spanish big man needs to be at 100% if the Grizzlies want to be anywhere close to a top 5 seed in the Western Conference.
The worrisome part is Parsons. No one still has a clear view on his return and if he’s still missing time, that might not be a great omen for his future playing status.
