Memphis Grizzlies and Spain big man Marc Gasol will miss the rest of the season after successful surgery on Saturday to repair a non-displaced Type II fracture of the navicular bone in his right foot.
Gasol is expected to make a full recovery but will not play again this season and his inclusion in this summer’s Rio Olympics is also in serious doubt as the Spanish international needs to let the rare injury heal with rest.
The Olympic basketball tournament takes place in Rio from August 6-21.
Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol out for the rest of the season due to foot surgery and it looks unlikely that he will compete for Spain in Rio
— John Hobbs (@johnswisshobbs) February 23, 2016
“It is frustrating to not be on the court with my teammates at this time,” Gasol said, “But I understand that the focus of this process is on long-term health and stability. I look forward to the road ahead and a full and successful recovery.”
Gasol suffered the season-ending injury on February 8 in the first quarter of the game against the Portland Trailblazers. Before he left the game, he had scored 11 points in the game’s first 11 minutes.
“Marc remains a cornerstone of our franchise and we are pleased to hear that the surgery went according to plan,” Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace said.
“Marc’s determination and competitive spirit will serve him, his family and the team well as he begins the healing and rehab process from which we expect him to make a full recovery. We are confident we will have Marc back anchoring our team next season and beyond.”
