The Grizzlies are optimistic, and while I think they’re talking themselves into the most favorable of the range of likely outcomes, there are reasons to expect Gasol can return to being at least a high-level starting center. It depends on his rehab and the whims of the basketball gods, which no one can predict. But I’d think at least somewhat diminished play and more careful usage should be expected.
More on Marc Gasol Injury
Team sources I talked to explained that they're pretty optimistic about Gasol's recovery from this injury—that as long as he takes the rehab seriously and takes care of himself, it shouldn't have any impact on the length of his career. A Type II fracture without displacement is a much better diagnosis than a Type III fracture, for instance, which means the navicular bone breaks all the way through. These sorts of injuries have afflicted other players who didn't recover successfully from them, to be sure, but the Grizzlies are optimistic that the specifics of Marc's injury mean he has a much higher likelihood of recovery than others.
It's still a serious injury, and Gasol's recovery will have to be taken just as seriously to make sure it doesn't turn into some sort of inexorable slide into perpetual foot injuries. Clearly Gasol is out for the year, and my assumption would be that he isn't playing for Spain in this summer's Olympics, either, though that's still just an assumption on my part. It sounds like their goal for a return is training camp, but clearly that's not set in stone, and if he's not ready by then, it's in everyone's best interests to wait as long as it takes.
Brian Mahoney: Grizzlies make it official that Marc Gasol is out for the season after surgery on his broken right foot Saturday.
Kevin Lipe: Grizzlies announce Marc Gasol had successful surgery to “repair a non-displaced Type II fracture of the navicular bone in his right foot.”
Peter Edmiston: Marc Gasol's foot injury is indeed a non-displaced Type II fracture of the navicular bone. Surgery happened in Charlotte on Saturday.
Ronald Tillery: Mike Conley on Marc Gasol: "He's still distraught. It's going to take a while for him to get over this." Still no details of Gasol's rehab
Peter Edmiston: Chris Wallace on Marc Gasol: "We're still in a fact-finding mode on his injury. I don't want to go into any great particulars other than we're consulting with medical experts available to us, including our own, and coming up with the proper course of action."
Peter Edmiston: Wallace on Gasol: "I think long-term he'll be fine. Marc is a very dedicated, focused, & sophisticated patient for any doctor to rehab."
In the end, Gasol signed a five-year, $110 million contract extension in July. Memphis wanted to turn that tough Western Conference semifinals series loss to Golden State into a leap of something bigger, and better. And now, this: Gasol fractures his right foot. For now, Grizzlies officials stop short of completely ruling Gasol out for the season, but the possibility is admittedly bleak for a playoff push in April that’ll include him on the court. Doctors are evaluating the need for surgery, which would include the insertion of a pin that moves the rehabilitation and recovery process well into the summer.
Peter Edmiston: Spanish news agency EFE (via Madrid-based Marca) is reporting that it could be a 4-6 months absence for Marc Gasol: bit.ly/1Pm5mz3
KC Johnson: Pau on Marc Gasol: "He's not doing well."
The Memphis Grizzlies released today the following statement on behalf of Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace regarding Marc Gasol: “This morning at Campbell Clinic, Marc underwent a thorough evaluation by team physicians. During the course of this evaluation, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a fracture in his right foot. Marc is a cornerstone of our franchise, and we are focused on getting him healthy. Marc will be out indefinitely and a further update will be provided after the All-Star Break.”
Ronald Tillery: Griz center Marc Gasol has a broken right foot and will be out indefinitely, sources told The Commercial Appeal
Medical tests revealed a mid-foot fracture and the 7-footer could miss the remainder of this season. He has been ruled out indefinitely. It is unclear exactly when Gasol suffered the injury. Last Saturday, Gasol and Griz coach Dave Joerger acknowledged that Gasol was playing with an injury. Gasol started Monday night but departed late in the first quarter of the Grizzlies’ 112-106 overtime loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Gasol was cleared to play and not at risk to further injure himself.
Ross Wooden: Marc Gasol (right mid-foot injury) will not return.
