Collin Sexton Injury Update: Will He Play Against Grizzlies Tonight?
Monday’s matchup in Chicago brings the Memphis Grizzlies (23-43) to the United Center. The game is set for March 16. Both teams sit in the NBA’s bottom 10 by win rate.
Game context
Memphis arrives on a seven-game losing streak. Chicago has gone 3-7 over its last 10 games. The Bulls are dealing with notable backcourt absences heading into the contest.
Collin Sexton injury update and status
The latest Collin Sexton injury update lists him as questionable. The NBA injury report cites a left lower-leg injury. Sexton has missed three consecutive games because of the issue.
During those three games, the Bulls went 1-2. Chicago averaged 118.7 points per game in regulation across that stretch.
Recent production and usage
Sexton was productive before the injury. He averaged 25.0 points per game over his prior four appearances.
Over that small sample, Sexton shot 59.3 percent from the field and 46.9 percent from three. From Feb. 7 to Feb. 26, his minutes sat at 22.6 per game.
Across four March appearances, his playing time rose to 30.0 minutes per game. In 11 games as a Bull, he ranked second on the team with a 25.0 percent usage rate, per FantasyLabs.
Rotation impact if Sexton misses
Chicago could be thin in the backcourt tonight. Guards Anfernee Simons (15.2 PPG) and Jaden Ivey (11.5 PPG) are also out.
With Sexton, Simons, and Ivey unavailable, forward Matas Buzelis sees the largest usage uptick. His usage rate increased by 3.2 percent in that scenario.
Matas Buzelis recent surge
Buzelis erupted for a career-high 41 points on March 10. That game was Sexton’s first absence.
Over his last three games, Buzelis averaged 27.0 points while shooting 44.6 percent from the field. Since March 10, he averaged 21.7 field-goal attempts and 12.0 three-point attempts per game in a three-game split.
For context, his season averages are 12.1 shots and 6.1 three-point attempts per game.
Matchup notes and projections
Opposing Buzelis is a Memphis defense that has shown vulnerability from deep. Dunks & Threes ranks the Grizzlies 23rd in 3-point shot distribution allowed.
PrizePicks lists several projections for Buzelis in the Grizzlies-Bulls matchup. They include:
- 20.5 points
- 29.5 points + rebounds + assists
- 6 rebounds
- 7.5 field goals made
- 35.5 fantasy score
If Sexton misses a fourth straight game, Buzelis is a logical pivot. His recent volume and role expansion support that move.
PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks offer these projections. Team Picks are available in 35 states. All event contract customers must be U.S. residents and at least 18 years old.
Filmogaz.com will continue to follow this Collin Sexton injury update and provide coverage. The content here is informational and not investment advice.
