Scottie Pippen Jr. will undergo sesamoid bone removal surgery to relieve pain in his right big toe in hopes of returning to full health next season.
The Memphis Grizzlies announced surgery that will sideline him for the remainder of the season. Reported by Michael Scotto of Hoopshype.
Each foot has two sesamoid bones that “act like pulleys within the flexor tendon of the big toe to reduce friction and increase push-out efficiency,” According to Complete Orthopedics. These bones may fracture or have small growths—often happens in athletes and dancers because they push and use the bone more—so surgery removes the bone to relieve pain and restore function.
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Pippen underwent surgery on his other foot in October and was out until February 6. As a result, he only played 10 games for the Grizzlies this season. In 10 games played, Pippen averaged 11.4 points and 4.7 assists per game.
Pippen has two years left on his contract and will return to the Grizzlies next season, a team that will look very different as it begins to rebuild.