Grizzlies Clippers Basketball

Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart will miss three to five weeks with a sprained left foot. Ryan Sun/Associated Press

Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart will miss three to five weeks with a sprained left foot, adding to Memphis’ already lengthy injury list.

The Grizzlies provided more details about Smart’s injury Friday. The guard and the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, acquired via a trade this offseason, hurt his foot Tuesday night in a loss at the Los Angeles Lakers.

Smart ranks third on the Grizzlies scoring 12.5 points a game. He also leads Memphis with five assists and two steals per game, and he had been one of only four Grizzlies to play each of the first 11 games with Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and David Roddy.

Memphis already has two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant suspended for the first 25 games this season, and center Steven Adams was ruled out before the season started needing surgery for a knee first hurt last January. Brandon Clarke is busy recovering from a left Achilles tendon torn last March.

The Grizzlies also declared out Xavier Tillman Sr. with a left knee injury, Luke Kennard with a bone bruise in his left knee and rookie GG Jackson II (two-way transfer) for Saturday night’s game at San Antonio. But guard Derrick Rose is questionable after missing seven games with an injured left knee.

Memphis, the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference each of the past two seasons, currently is last in the West with a 2-9 record.

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SUNS: Phoenix guard Bradley Beal will be out for at least the next three weeks as he continues to recover from a low back strain that has kept him out for the majority of the season.

The three-time All-Star has played in just three games this season, averaging 17.3 points and 5.3 rebounds. He was expected to play on Wednesday night against the Timberwolves, but he was a late scratch with his back issues.

The team said that the new injury timeline was “determined following further evaluation and consultation.” The Suns added he would be reevaluated after the three weeks.

The Suns came into the season with high hopes, largely thanks to the star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Beal, but the group hasn’t played together through 11 games. Booker has also missed substantial time with various injuries, including a calf strain.

Phoenix has a 5-6 record this season heading into Friday night’s game against the Utah Jazz.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

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BUCKS 130, HORNETS 99: Damian Lillard scored 27 points, Malik Beasley added 20 and visiting Milwaukee overcame a 37-point effort from LaMelo Ball to beat Charlotte and remain unbeaten in NBA In-Season Tournament play.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 16 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for the Bucks, who’ve won three straight. Beasley had six 3s and Lillard five as the Bucks went 22 of 45 from beyond the arc and outscored the Hornets 38-18 in the fourth quarter.

Milwaukee’s victory sets up a key showdown on Nov. 28 in Miami against the Heat, the only other undefeated team in East Group B in what might determine who’ll advance to the single-elimination knockout stage.

KNICKS 120, WIZARDS 99: Jalen Brunson scored 32 points and Immanuel Quickley added 27 to lift New York to a victory in Washington, eliminating the Wizards from contention in the NBA In-Season Tournament.

Washington has dropped all three of its games so far in this new tourney. The Knicks improved to 1-1. Teams play four games apiece in the preliminary round, with the six group winners and two wild cards advancing.

New York has won five of six overall and sent the Wizards to their fifth straight defeat. The Knicks led by 21 points in the second quarter, but Washington had the margin down to five on several occasions after halftime.

CAVALIERS 108, PISTONS 100: Darius Garland had a season-high 28 points and Evan Mobley and Max Strus scored 18 apiece as Cleveland beat visiting Detroit in an NBA In-Season Tournament game, handing the Pistons their 10th consecutive loss.

Mobley also had 10 rebounds and five assists, and rookie Craig Porter scored a career-best 12 points in 16 minutes for Cleveland, which returned home after a 2-2 West Coast trip. Jarrett Allen had 10 points and five blocked shots.

Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 29.2 points, did not play because of a right hamstring strain.


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