You’ve got to admit, the man has heart. Even knowing that he had an injury that if aggravated, would be season ending for him, Marc Gasol strode out onto the court Wednesday night to face the Dallas Mavericks, and try to help keep the Memphis Grizzlies from another losing season.

Unfortunately Gasol aggravated the injury after a collision with Mav’s center Brendon Haywood and was unable to perform up to his normal capabilities after that. Though the Grizzlies only had 8 games left to play in the season, for Marc Gasol, they may as well have been 80.

The 7 foot Spaniard was playing in just his second game after returning from a five-game absence because of the injury he initially suffered March 13. Rookie Hasheem Thabeet will take Gasol’s place in the starting lineup tonight against the New Orleans Hornets.

I know that it is truly hard for an athlete to sit on the sidelines and watch when they know that they should be contributing to the game. All I can say is rest up Gasol, you never know what may happen in the future.

Have you been following the Grizzlies this season?