Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay will be out at least four weeks after an MRI on Wednesday revealed a partial dislocation of the left shoulder.
Losing Gay is a huge blow to the Grizzlies playoff chances with the team currently a half-game behind Utah and Denver for the Western Conference’s final playoff spot.
Gay was injured on Tuesday against Philadelphia when the Sixers Evan Turner fouled him as he drove to the basket.
The Grizzlies forward fell to the floor in pain and after a brief timeout, shot two free throws using his right hand only because he couldn’t raise his left arm.
Gay will be reevaluated in one week and then begin rehabbing for at least four weeks. Memphis (31-26) will be off until February 22 when they face Denver on the road.
With Gay sidelined the Grizzlies will likely use a combination of players to fill the void.
O.J. Mayo played six minutes on Tuesday against the Sixers in his first game back since being suspended for 10 games after violating the NBA’s illegal substance policy.
Super sub Tony Allen may see some increased minutes as could Greivis Vasquez and Xavier Henry.
Allen is averaging 16.9 minutes a game this season coming off the bench and provides a huge lift for the Grizzlies on the defensive end.
Vasquez has seen consistent playing time off the bench throughout the season. He’s averaging 12.7 minutes a game and gives Memphis a three-point threat that opponents can’t forget about.
After beginning the season as a starter, Henry has seen his minutes dwindle after suffering a knee injury in mid December. He’s averaging 14 minutes a game, but has played only three minutes in the last eight games.
Gay was averaging 19.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in 54 games played this season. It’s possible that Allen, Vasquez and Henry could combine to produce those numbers every game while Gay recovers from the shoulder injury.
But the biggest lift Memphis will need has to come from Mayo. He’s been the subject of trade rumors over the past several weeks, but with Gay out for an extended amount of time it’s unlikely the Grizzlies would trade him.
The only scenario where Mayo could be traded is if the player Memphis acquires can produce numbers on par with Gay, but that isn’t going to happen unless the Grizzlies give up a lot.
Memphis has enough talent and depth to compete without Gay, but in the final 27 games they’ll play this season the Grizzlies will face 16 opponents with winning records, including the Spurs, Bulls, Heat, Knicks, Nuggets, Jazz, Trail Blazers, Hornets, Celtics, Thunder and Mavericks.
Gay could miss anywhere between 14 and 17 games, leaving Memphis with virtually no margin of error in chasing the eighth playoff spot.
The Grizzlies will have to win at least 45 games to even be in contention for the last playoff berth, so they’ll have to pick up some wins with Gay sidelined.
