NBA Rumors: Grizzlies' Marcus Smart Out 6 Weeks with 'Severe' Finger Injury

After losing Ja Morant for the season due to a shoulder injury, the Memphis Grizzlies are going to be without another guard for an extended period.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Marcus Smart is expected to miss six weeks due to a "severe" right finger injury.

Smart suffered the injury in the third quarter of Tuesday's win over the Dallas Mavericks. It occurred when Kyrie Irving made a swipe at the ball and caught Smart's finger.

The Grizzlies' season has been derailed due to injuries. Morant missed the first 25 games while serving a suspension for conduct detrimental to the league.

Smart, who was acquired in June from the Boston Celtics, was supposed to take some of the sting away from Morant's absence to begin the season. He started the first 11 games before suffering a foot injury on Nov. 14 against the Los Angeles Lakers that sidelined him for five weeks.

Memphis went 6-19 during the 25 games Morant was suspended. His return provided a spark that helped the Grizzlies win six of their next 10 games, but the team announced Monday he needs season-ending surgery to repair a labrum tear in his right shoulder.

The Grizzlies were already facing a steep climb to make the playoffs with Morant because of how poorly they played to start the season. Any optimism about them being able to get back in the play-in mix following his injury was likely tied to Smart being able to run the offense and play defense on the perimeter.

Smart is having a solid season with 14.5 points, 4.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game in 20 starts.

Now, the Grizzlies are looking at a situation where Jacob Gilyard and Derrick Rose will likely split starting duties depending on what head coach Taylor Jenkins wants to do.

A six-week absence would have Smart back in late February. The Grizzlies are currently 13th in the Western Conference with a 14-23 record.