A tough stretch is ahead for the Memphis Grizzlies as star center Marc Gasol is likely out for the 2015–16 National Basketball Association (NBA) season with a broken right foot.
According to ESPN, nobody knows when was the exact moment he sustained the injury in Monday's game versus the Portland Trail Blazers.
However, it was enough to force Gasol out of the game in the first quarter and never check back in, finishing with 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists in only 11 minutes of action.
ESPN also reported that Gasol's injury was checked by a physician on Tuesday and the fracture in his foot was revealed through a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The injury is a tough setback for Gasol, who is having another stellar year after being named an All-Star starter last season. It is a much bigger blow for the Grizzlies since Gasol is one of their best players, leading the team in scoring and blocks this 2015–16 regular season.
Before missing Wednesday's game versus the Brooklyn Nets, the 31-year-old center played and started in all of the previous 52 games for Memphis, averaging 16.6 points, seven rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 blocks, and one steal per contest.
Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace mentioned in a release that their focus is to get Gasol healthy.
Likely taking the scoring load now for Memphis is point guard Mike Conley, who is the second-leading scorer for the team, averaging 14.9 points a game.
Meanwhile, filling in for Gasol in the center position are JaMychal Green and Brandan Wright, who will likely return soon following a knee surgery.
The Grizzlies will have to continue their regular season campaign and playoff push without their valuable big man.
Memphis is currently fifth in the Western Conference standings with a 31–22 record, aiming to better last season's campaign when the team reach the second round but was eliminated by the defending champs, Golden State Warriors.
