LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Memphis Grizzlies star Marc Gasol faces a lengthy layoff after suffering a fracture in his right foot, the National Basketball Association (NBA) team confirmed on Tuesday.

The towering centre exited early from Monday's defeat by the Portland Trail Blazers but had complained of pain over the weekend.

An MRI scan at Campbill Clinic in Tennessee confirmed the fracture.

"Marc is a cornerstone of our franchise, and we are focused on getting him healthy," Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said. "Marc will be out indefinitely and a further update will be provided after the All-Star break."

Gasol had been averaging 16.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.35 blocks after starting all 52 of the Grizzlies' games this season.

"It's certainly not great for Marc and his family. I know he's disappointed," Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger told The Commercial Appeal daily in Memphis. "It's bad for our team. This is a tight bunch of dudes. They care about each other. It hurts everybody. Marc is a guy who lays it out there for his team-mates and the fans."