The Memphis Grizzlies suffered a blow before even arriving in San Antonio for the start of their playoff series.
Tony Allen, the 35-year-old defensive ace who was to be Memphis’ best hope of containing Spurs star Kawhi Leonard, suffered a calf strain in the Grizzlies’ season-ending loss at Dallas on Wednesday, the team announced Thursday.
Allen is out indefinitely, with the early prognosis ruling him out for the entire first round series against the second-seeded Spurs.
A member of the NBA’s All-Defense team for five years running — and likely to add a sixth straight selection this spring — Allen was a key reason the Grizzlies were able to hold Leonard to 42.