(Reuters) – Memphis forward Zach Randolph could miss up to eight weeks playing time after tests revealed the Grizzlies’ second leading scorer has a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee, the team said yesterday.
Randolph, 30, sustained the injury when team mate O.J. Mayo fell into him in the first quarter of Sunday’s game at Chicago.
The 2010 National Basketball Association All-Star averaged 14.8 points and 7.5 rebounds in four games this season.
Last season, he helped spark the Grizzlies to the Western Conference semi-finals, averaging 20.1 points and a franchise-record 12.2 rebounds.
To help fill Randolph’s void, the Grizzlies acquired reserve forward/center Marreese Speights from the Philadelphia 76ers as part of a three-team trade announced on Wednesday that included the New Orleans Hornets.
Memphis sent guard Xavier Henry to New Orleans with Philadelphia gaining future draft choices from both the Grizzlies and Hornets.
