Grizzlies wing Vince Williams Jr. suffered a Grade 3 right ankle sprain and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, the team announced on Thursday. Williams suffered the injury in the second quarter of Memphis’s game against the Nuggets on Tuesday.
It’s a tough blow for Williams, who missed the first 12 games of the season with a stress reaction in his left leg he suffered in September. The former VCU player made his return to an NBA court on Friday. He averaged 5.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in his two-and-a-half healthy games.
Upon his return from that injury, Williams was immediately part of the rotation with the Grizzlies dealing with injuries across the lineup, including Ja Morant, Zach Edey and GG Jackson. While Memphis is healthier than they were last season and their depth is improved, it’s still a tough blow for a team looking to contend for a playoff spot. Memphis is 9-7 and eighth in the Western Conference entering Thursday.
Williams, in his third year in the league, spent the first season and a half of his time in the NBA on a two-way contract. When Memphis was dealt a brutal hand last year in regards to injuries, Williams stepped up and earned a contract promotion, averaging 10.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 44.6% from the field and 37.8% from three.
With Williams out and John Konchar missing Wednesday’s game with an illness, two-way player Cam Spencer stepped up and played just under 10 minutes. He may continue to see spot minutes with Williams out while the Grizzlies get healthier.
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