MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Grizzlies guard Allen Iverson could miss three weeks after an MRI revealed a partial tear in his left hamstring.
The Grizzlies made the announcement before Wednesday night’s exhibition game against the Thunder.
If the timetable is correct, Iverson would miss all of preseason, and his status for the season opener at home against the Pistons on Oct. 28 would be in jeopardy.
“The way I see it, I’m glad it’s happening right now rather than in the season,” Iverson said. “That’s the only positive thing I can take out of the whole thing.”
Iverson, declaring himself a quick healer, said he expects to be back in time for the opener. He was hurt during the Grizzlies’ training camp in Birmingham, Ala., last week and said he was just starting to get into shape after not playing basketball for five months waiting to see where he was going to land for this season.
“My legs were starting to feel a lot better than they had the first three or four days,” Iverson said. “Then, just like that, I hurt the hamstring.”
Entering his 14th season, the four-time NBA scoring champ signed with the Grizzlies last month. Iverson, who played for the Nuggets before being dealt to the Pistons in the Chauncey Billups trade, said he has never dealt with hamstring problems in his career and wants to make sure he is completely healed before returning to the court.
“My whole thing is to work as hard as I can to try and get back to 100 percent,” Iverson said. “I don’t want to try and come back too early and have this thing lingering on throughout the whole season.”
Cavaliers’ West takes leave
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Delonte West has left the Cavaliers for the second time during training camp, although this time he has the team’s blessing.
He had unexcused absences for the first four practices last week and he missed about 10 days last year during the preseason while dealing with personal issues. He returned as the second-most important player to the Cavaliers’ postseason run to the Eastern Conference finals and LeBron James said he believes he can count on West again this year.
“He’s one of the ones that we know is going to be there no matter what,” James said. “When he’s out on that court, he forgets about everything else going on in his personal life. We’re looking forward to getting him back, but he’s going to take as much time as he needs.”
West has battled bipolar disorder and could face a league suspension stemming from an arrest last month on misdemeanor gun possession charges in Maryland.
Heat guard Cook injures thumb
ORLANDO, Fla. — Reserve guard Daequan Cook missed Miami’s preseason game against Orlando because of a right thumb injury.
Cook, who averaged 9.1 points last season, is not expected to miss much time.
