Key player returns from injury for Lakers vs. Grizzlies

Just a week after the two teams met in Memphis, the Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers meet in Los Angeles at 7:00 p.m. PST as the two look to stay in the Western Conference standings. However, earlier today the Grizzlies received positive news about one of their key players.

On ESPN's “NBA Today,” senior NBA insider Shams Charania announced that former Defensive Player of the Year guard Marcus Smart will be making his return to the lineup after missing the last few weeks with a sprained ankle.

Via Matt Infield of Action News 5: “NEW: Shams just reported on NBA Today. Ja Morant will be evaluated again this weekend. He says the Grizzles aren't overly concerned that it's a long-term problem. Or rather, he says Marcus.” Smart will return tonight after missing the last few weeks with an ankle sprain.

Smart played in the first five games of the season for the Grizzlies before leaving the first quarter of their game against the Brooklyn Nets with a sprained ankle. After missing the last six games, he returns to the team to provide much-needed depth as star Ja Morant remains sidelined with a hip and pelvis injury.

In the four full games Smart has played this year, he averaged 7.0 points and 3.3 assists per game while shooting a poor 23.5% from the field. However, Smart's greatest value lies in his defense, as he averaged 2.3 steals plus blocks over that four-game span.

With a win tonight and a loss for the Rockets, the Grizzlies can secure the top spot in the Southwest Division.

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