Grizzlies’ Iverson could miss up to 3 weeks after MRI reveals partial tear in left hamstring

Hamstring could sideline Iverson up to 3 weeks

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis 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 Oklahoma City Thunder. If the timetable is correct, Iverson would miss all of preseason, and his status for the season opener at home against the Detroit 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 in a pregame press conference. “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, the biggest name ever to join the franchise. Iverson 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.”