Grizzlies: Chandler Parsons out indefintely with partial meniscus tear
Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons has been diagnosed with a partial tear of the meniscus in his left knee and will be out indefinitely, the team announced Monday.
This is just the latest setback in what has been an injury-riddled career for Parsons, who signed a four-year, $94 million contract with Memphis over the summer. He has played in just 34 games this season, averaging a career-low 6.2 points (on 33.8% shooting), 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists. He underwent season-ending surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee in late March of last season.
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“To suffer a setback like this after working so diligently to rebound from the injury to his right knee is obviously tough. That said, we know he will continue to work tirelessly to return to the court with his teammates and contribute,” Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said in a statement. “Chandler has the full support of myself, Coach Fizz and the entire team and we are all focused on getting him healthy.”
The Grizzlies entered Monday 36-30, safely the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. Parsons, who only appeared in games on consecutive nights once this year, was also on a minutes restriction. First-year coach David Fizdale was trying to get him ready for the postseason by playing him regularly with the starters.
"“(Starting is) where he’s more comfortable,” Fizdale said after last week's loss to the Rockets, per Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal. “That’s the biggest thing – I want him to be comfortable and get connected with his teammates. I really can’t waste time bringing him off the bench where he’s not playing with the guys he’s been brought here to play with. We tossed around all of those ideas with him. But, at the end of the day, I still feel like we’re not there yet to even be thinking about him playing off the bench.”
