The Memphis Grizzlies today announced that guard Mario Chalmers will miss the remainder of the 2015/16 season after rupturing his right Achilles tendon in Memphis’ 116-96 loss to the Boston Celtics Wednesday at TD Garden and the Grizzlies subsequently waived Chalmers.
“Mario did an incredible job for us since coming to Memphis,” Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace said. “Right from the start, he embraced his change of scenery and endeared himself to his teammates and coaches on the court and the Memphis community off of it.”
The injury occurred following a Chalmers shot attempt at just under the seven-minute mark of the third quarter. Chalmers departed the game with 6:57 remaining in the third with the Grizzlies trailing 64-61.
“He has been an important part of our success this season, both coming off the bench and when called upon as a starter,” Wallace said. “But with Mario’s season-ending injury and our already depleted roster, it became necessary to free up a roster spot.”
Acquired by Memphis from Miami on Nov. 10, Chalmers posted averages of 10.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.45 steals in 22.8 minutes in 55 games (seven starts) with the Grizzlies. He averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 2.00 steals in 35.4 minutes in seven starts, in which Memphis went 5-2.
Most recently, Chalmers led a Grizzlies squad that dressed just eight players and was missing four regular starters to a 106-103 road win against the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers. Chalmers recorded 17 points, seven assists and four steals in the game, as Memphis forced Cleveland into a season-high 25 turnovers and never backed down from the reigning Eastern Conference Champions. It was Chalmers’ go-ahead running seven-footer with 25.4 seconds left that put Memphis up 101-100 and gave the Grizzlies the lead for good.
Chalmers will finish the season with averages of 10.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.44 steals in 22.5 minutes in 61 games (seven starts) for the Grizzlies and Heat.