Pippen Jr. to miss the start of Grizzlies season after toe surgery

Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. will miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery on his left big toe, the team said Saturday. The Grizzlies said Pippen will have a sesamoidectomy to address ongoing discomfort in the toe, is expected to make a full recovery and will be reevaluated in 12 weeks, a timetable that would keep him sidelined into the regular season.

The procedure removes or repairs the small sesamoid bones beneath the big toe that can cause persistent pain. The team gave no firm return date beyond the 12 week reevaluation. With the Grizzlies scheduled to open the regular season at home on Wednesday against New Orleans, Pippen’s absence further strains a backcourt already managing multiple injuries.

Pippen emerged last season as a reliable secondary creator for Memphis, averaging about 10 points, 4.4 assists and 3.3 rebounds while shooting roughly 48 percent from the field and near 39 percent from three. He logged significant minutes in April and averaged 18.3 points in the first round of the playoffs against Oklahoma City, helping the Grizzlies secure rotation depth behind Ja Morant.

The timing of the surgery compounds a thin guard room that has seen...