Grizzlies' Allen a game-time decision for Game 5 vs. Warriors

The Memphis Grizzlies have already stolen one game at Oracle Arena, but they may be tasked with trying to steal another without Mr. First Team All-Defense.

However, Allen's injury is more serious than it might appear.

"If he wants to be out there, he’ll be ready to get out there," Joerger told Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group. "He’s been more hurt than I think people realize. He’s given us everything he’s got. The reason we’re tied in this series and the reason we have two wins is because of what he’s been doing just wreaking havoc defensively. It’s amazing. Without him, it would be very difficult."

Tony Allen, who missed the last nine games of the regular season with a hamstring injury before returning for the postseason opener, logged only 16 minutes in Monday's Game 4 loss in Memphis.

The defensive standout has done a phenomenal job neutralizing the Splash Brother pairing of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, although his overall effectiveness was limited in Monday's loss due to the Golden State Warriors' own defensive adjustment.

The Warriors matched center Andrew Bogut up with Allen, allowing the Golden State big man to double one of Memphis' bigs in the post, as Allen isn't much of an offensive threat, particularly shooting the ball.

Overall in the deadlocked series, the Grizzlies have actually performed 6.9 points better per 100 possessions with Allen on the bench, but the Grit and Grind crew no doubt prefer to have their emotionally charged perimeter stopper available to them.