Hamstring injury puts Iverson's Grizzlies debut on hold

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Allen Iverson's debut with the Memphis Grizzlies will have to wait.

The guard strained his left hamstring during a scrimmage on Sunday in Birmingham, Ala., and he was held out of the Grizzlies' opening preseason game on Tuesday night against Washington.

Iverson is scheduled to have an MRI taken on Wednesday in Memphis, and he will miss that night's home game against Oklahoma City.

"I wouldn't even look at it as being safe or smart," Iverson said. "I can't go. If it was Game 7 in the finals, I wouldn't be able to go."

The 34-year-old Iverson, who signed a one-year contract with the Grizzlies last month, said there was no prior indication of injury.

"I was dribbling the ball across halfcourt. I tried to stop on a dime, and I heard a little pop," Iverson said. "I let them know it had popped."

Iverson returned to the scrimmage, but wasn't able to play. Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said he isn't worried about the injury.

"No need to rush him in," Hollins said. "He's going to be out at least a week."

Iverson chose not to discuss a timetable.

"This never happened before, so I don't know," Iverson said.

Iverson, a native of nearby Hampton, Va., was scheduled to play his first game in Virginia since 1996, and he admitted being disappointed to miss it. A sellout crowd at Virginia Commonwealth University was expected.

"Especially being at home -- a lot of people came to see me. It's frustrating. It's disheartening," Iverson said.

Hollins had been happy with Iverson's progress. Iverson, who has averaged 27.1 points per game during his 13-year NBA career, has been playing with the Grizzlies' first and second units.

"He's going to be fine. Allen works hard, and guys like playing with him," Hollins said. "Everybody wants to get in, whether he's starting or not starting. We have eight preseason games."