Morant ended with 27 points (10-18 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 7-7 FT), three rebounds, seven assists and three steals over 29 minutes during Friday's 120-109 win over the Pelicans.
Morant returned from a one-game absence, leading the Grizzlies with 27 points. Despite the injury-related absences, Morant has been able to put his best foot forward when healthy, having scored at least 20 points in all but two games thus far. He is also averaging a career-high 9.1 assists, an element of his game that could certainly boost his overall appeal. Moving forward, the hope is simply that he can remain healthy as the Grizzlies look to atone for last season.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Gets green light Friday
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Morant (knee) is listed as available for Friday's game against the Pelicans.
Morant sustained a left knee bone bruise during his return to game action in Monday's win over Portland, though he'll return Friday after missing Wednesday's win over Detroit. The superstar had missed eight games prior to Monday due to a right hip subluxation and pelvic muscle strains, but he will play through the knee injury. Morant will likely remain under a minutes restriction, which could open up additional playing time for Scotty Pippen and Jaylen Wells.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Probable for Friday
Rotowire
Morant (knee) is probable for Friday's game against the Pelicans.
The probable tag suggests Morant should be able to return Friday following his absence from Wednesday's game against the Pistons. Morant recently missed eight games due to a hip injury, and the Grizzlies need him to be healthy to reach their full potential. The star point guard is averaging 20.8 points, 9.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game this season. If he's available to play Friday, Scotty Pippen would probably move back to the bench.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Won't suit up Wednesday
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Morant has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against the Pistons due to a left knee contusion.
Morant presumably suffered the injury in his return to game action during Monday's win over Portland, during which he logged 22 points (6-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 8-10 FT), 11 assists, two rebounds and one block across 23 minutes. The superstar just returned from an eight-game absence due to a hip injury, though the knee issue likely won't keep him out much longer. Morant's playing time will likely continue to be monitored closely when he returns, and his next chance to play will come Friday against the Pelicans.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Shines in limited run Monday
Rotowire
Morant (hip/pelvis) logged 22 points (6-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 8-10 FT), 11 assists, two rebounds and one block across 23 minutes during Monday's 123-98 victory over the Trail Blazers.
Morant dominated during his return to game action, after he had missed the Grizzlies' last eight games due to a right hip subluxation and pelvic muscle strains. Despite having his playing time monitored carefully, Morant reached double figures in the assist column and reached the 20-point mark for the sixth time in nine appearances on the season. Morant's playing time will likely remain somewhat suppressed over the next few games while he gets eased back in from the injury, but he proved Monday that he doesn't need 30-plus minutes to make a big impact.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Will play Monday
Rotowire
Morant (hip) will play in Monday's game against the Trail Blazers, NBA reporter Chris Haynes reports.
Morant will suit up for the first time since Nov. 6, and while he'll likely replace Scotty Pippen in the starting lineup, the superstar point guard is expected to face some restrictions in his return to game action. Before the injury, Morant was off to a strong start, averaging 20.7 points, 9.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 28.4 minutes per game.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Present at shootaround
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Morant (hip) was present at Monday's morning shootaround, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appealreports.
Morant remains questionable for Monday's game against Portland, but it appears that there is a good chance he's able to return from an eight-game absence. If Morant gets the green light, Scotty Pippen could lose a lot of steam as a streamer.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Questionable for Monday
Rotowire
Morant (hip) is questionable for Monday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Morant has missed the last eight games due to a right hip injury, but he has a chance to return to action Monday. This is the first time since suffering the injury that Morant has been deemed questionable, so a return seems imminent. If he is unable to go once again, Scotty Pippen will continue to see an expanded role.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Not playing vs. Chicago
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Morant (hip) is out for Saturday's game against the Bulls, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
Morant was upgraded to doubtful on Friday's injury report, but the star floor general is still not ready to play. That means Scotty Pippen will remain the starting point guard in this matchup. Morant's return might be creeping closer, though, and his next chance to feature will come against the Trail Blazers on Monday.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Upgraded to doubtful
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Morant (hip) has been upgraded to doubtful ahead of Saturday's game against the Bulls.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said Tuesday that imaging on Morant's right hip turned out "really good," and while he hasn't been cleared to return to action, the upgrade to a doubtful tag represents a step in the right direction. Morant's chances of returning to action Saturday aren't high, however, but this upgrade in status does show that the star floor general is trending in the right direction. Scotty Pippen should continue to play at point guard while Morant remains sidelined.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Encouraging results from imaging
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Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said Tuesday that imaging on Morant's right hip turned out "really good," but the point guard is still considered week-to-week, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
While Morant has already missed Memphis' last five games due to posterior hip subluxation and Grade 1 pelvic strains, imaging done Monday seems to confirm that no further damage has been done. With Morant potentially out until at least early December, Scotty Pippen should continue to operate as the Grizzlies' primary point guard, while Luke Kennard will also benefit from more ball-handling opportunities.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Remains week-to-week
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Coach Taylor Jenkins said Sunday that Morant (hip) remains week-to-week and will undergo more imaging Monday, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Morant will miss a fifth straight game Sunday night, and he doesn't appear close to making a return. The fact the medical team is still trying to figure out the extent of the injury is a bit worrisome, but Jenkins didn't sound concerned. Marcus Smart (illness) and Desmond Bane have recently returned to action following lengthy injury absences, but Jaylen Wells and Scotty Pippen continue to start in Memphis' backcourt.
Morant (hip) is considered week-to-week and doesn't have a specific timetable for his return, the team announced Saturday.
Morant was initially diagnosed with extreme right hip flexion, but further imaging later revealed a posterior hip subluxation (without dislocation) and multiple associated Grade 1 pelvic muscle strains. The Grizzlies won't take any risks with the health of their star point guard and will give him all the time he needs to recover and get back to 100 percent. Expect Scotty Pippen, who posted a triple-double in the win over the Wizards on Friday, to continue starting at the point while Morant is sidelined.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Will not play Friday vs. Wizards
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Morant is out for Friday's game against the Wizards due to right hip soreness.
Morant exited Wednesday's win over the Lakers in the third quarter and didn't return. It seems the Grizzlies will be extremely cautious with their star point guard, given his recent injury history. The absence of Morant means Scotty Pippen could get the start at point guard, especially since Marcus Smart (finger) and Desmond Bane (oblique) are ruled out for Friday's game as well. Morant's next chance to play will come against the Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Exits early and doesn't return
Rotowire
Morant (hamstring) departed Wednesday's 131-114 win over the Lakers in the third quarter and did not return. He logged 20 points (7-17 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five assists, four rebounds, a steal and a block across 24 minutes before exiting.
Morant went up for an alley-oop late in the third period and landed awkwardly before departing the contest with what's been labeled a right hamstring injury. The point guard has missed one of Memphis' nine games this season, and his next chance to play will come Friday against the Wizards.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Doubtful to return
Rotowire
Morant is doubtful to return to Wednesday's game against the Lakers due to a right hamstring injury.
Morant landed awkwardly on an alley-oop attempt and went back to the locker room with a hamstring injury. He's unlikely to return to Wednesday's contest, which could result in more minutes for Scotty Pippen and Luke Kennard.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Goes to locker room after fall
Rotowire
Morant went back to the locker room after taking a hard fall on an alley-oop attempt during Wednesday's game against the Lakers, Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian reports.
It's unclear what type of injury Morant is dealing with, but it's considered severe enough to warrant a trip to the locker room. While he's sidelined, Scotty Pippen and Luke Kennard could see more action.
