Grizzlies Game Day: Carter plays hurt while Cavs rest

Grizzlies veteran swingman Vince Carter winced and then exhaled as he put an ice pack inside the right side of his waistband.

“That’s what I have to do,” Carter said Tuesday night after returning to action from a seven-game layoff due to a hip injury.

Carter, 39, will continue to play with some level of discomfort while the Cleveland Cavaliers will rest LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love at 7 p.m. when they visit FedExForum.

Rest among star players is rampant around the NBA, and the Grizzlies don’t make any apologies for their maintenance program. Memphis traveled to Cleveland without center Marc Gasol, who is not injured.

Grizzlies rookie Davis injured in loss to Cavs

So it came as no surprise that James sounded flippant about missing his only scheduled trip to Memphis this season.

“My coach wants me to rest, I don't buck my coach. That's what he wants and that's what we're going to do,” James said after the Cavs beat the Grizzlies Tuesday night in Quicken Loans Arena. “I've been in this league 14 years. I shouldn't have to explain me sitting out a game or not playing games.

"I've played in every arena, including Seattle that's no longer here. It's not like it's my first year. I've got 14 years. I've paid my dues and more than a lot of guys in this league. But I'll ride with my coach.”

Carter, meanwhile, said he returned sooner than expected in part to help pick up the slack because Mike Conley (back), James Ennis (calf), Chandler Parsons (knee) and Brandan Wright (ankle) continue to miss time with injuries.

“I enjoy competing with these guys,” Carter said. “I’ll try to be smart at the same time.”

Every game day we’ll clue you in on a few buzzy items dealing with the Griz and their opponent.

Here are “3 Things to Know for Your Griz Day.” 

1. There was no immediate update Wednesday regarding the condition of Grizzlies rookie Deyonta Davis, who left the game Tuesday with a left foot injury. Davis will not play against the Cavaliers Wednesday night.

2. Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said he would start DeAndre Liggins, Iman Shumpert and James Jones alongside regular starters J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson.

3. In case you missed it: The player who had the NBA's best defensive rating (min. 15 games played) since Nov. 12 was Davis (94) entering that Tuesday game against Cleveland.

There you go. A sample of what you need to know to get an early start on your Griz day.