The start of the 2025-26 NBA season is right around the corner, and for the Memphis Grizzlies, hopes are high heading into the new campaign. However, they have received a brutal injury update regarding star point guard Ja Morant right before the start of their preseason action on Monday night.
The majority of the past few years for Morant have been wiped out by injuries and a slew of off-field controversies. Last season, he returned to action and suited up in 50 games, and while the Grizzlies found their way into the postseason, they ended up getting swept by the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Ahead of the new season, Morant has a new injury that will surely be a cause of concern for the team and its fans.
Grizzlies Lose Ja Morant to Ankle Injury
Morant returned from a season-ending shoulder injury he suffered in the 2023-24 campaign for Memphis last season, and he ended up reestablishing himself as one of the most talented guards in the league. In 50 games, Morant averaged 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 45.4% from the field for the Grizzlies.
Still, things weren’t working for Memphis. They fired head coach Taylor Jenkins late in the regular season and replaced him with Tuomas Iisalo, who has retained his position with the team for the season. The roster also got shaken up quite a bit over the offseason, as Desmond Bane got dealt to the Orlando Magic in a blockbuster trade.
Now, Morant seems set to have even more responsibilities on offense with Bane gone. As has been the case for him in recent years, though, he needs to be on the court in order for that to matter. With the regular season right around the corner, though, Morant has been dealt a crushing injury update, as the team announced on Monday that he is dealing with a sprained left ankle.
Grizzlies team spokesperson: Ja Morant suffered a sprained left ankle in practice yesterday. He is considered week-to-week,” Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal shared in a post on X.
Ja Morant’s Status for Grizzlies’ Season-Opener Suddenly Up in the Air
GettyJa Morant reacts during a game against the Phoenix Suns on March 10, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Memphis won’t mind being without Morant for its preseason action, but with its season-opener being on Oct 22, he doesn’t have a lot of time to get healthy for that game. Considering how the campaign hasn’t even started yet, the Grizzlies are going to play it safe with Morant and his ankle injury, but it’s clear that they need him on the court now more than ever.
In Morant’s absence, Ty Jerome will likely see an increase in action at the point guard position for the Grizzlies after he was signed in free agency this offseason. There’s no doubt this is a tough blow, but if Morant can get himself healthy quickly, this could end up being merely a blip on the radar for Memphis moving forward. The Grizzlies will square off against the Detroit Pistons in their first preseason game on Monday at 8 p.m. ET.
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