MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Grizzlies center Marc Gasol will miss the rest of this season after having surgery to repair his broken right foot.
The Grizzlies announced Tuesday that Gasol had surgery on Saturday. General manager Chris Wallace said in a statement that a full recovery is expected.
"Marc's determination and competitive spirit will serve him, his family and the team well as he begins the healing and rehab process from which we expect him to make a full recovery," Wallace said. "We are confident we will have Marc back anchoring our team next season and beyond."
Gasol signed a five-year contract last July after earning a starting spot in the All-Star game last season. He also was the first Grizzlies player voted to the All-NBA first team.
The 7-foot-1, 255-pound center averaged 16.6 points and 7.0 rebounds in 52 games this season. He scored 11 points in the first quarter Feb. 8 against Portland before leaving with the injury.
"It is frustrating to not be on the court with my teammates at this time," Gasol said in a statement released by the Grizzlies. "But I understand that the focus of this process is on long-term health and stability. I look forward to the road ahead and a full and successful recovery."
The Grizzlies, 32-23 and fifth in the Western Conference, have made the playoffs each of the past five seasons. Memphis has won two of three games without Gasol and made two trades last week adding center Chris Andersen, P.J. Hairston and Lance Stephenson in exchange for Courtney Lee and Jeff Green.
"We know this is a difficult time for Marc and want to be supportive of him during his recovery," Grizzlies guard Mike Conley said. "His presence is still felt greatly within the locker room, and even while he is sidelined, he is still leading us as we push forward."
