Injury Update on Ja Morant

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has suffered a sprained left ankle during practice, and team officials have announced he will be sidelined for an indefinite period. The injury, which occurred on Sunday, has been classified as week-to-week, raising concerns as the start of the 2025-26 NBA season approaches.

A Challenging History of Injuries

This injury marks yet another setback for Morant, who has faced several injury challenges over the past few years. Over the prior five seasons, he has been unable to participate in more than 65 games in a single year. After playing only 50 games in the 2024-25 season, Morant was further hindered by physical setbacks during Memphis' playoff run against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Impact on the Grizzlies

Morant's struggles culminated in a hard fall during Game 3 of the playoff series, after which he was ruled out for the rest of the game. Despite leading by 27 points at the time of his injury, the Grizzlies fell apart, ultimately losing that game and being swept in the series after another loss in Game 4. This latest injury places added pressure on the Grizzlies, especially following a significant offseason trade where Desmond Bane was sent to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and four first-round draft picks.

The Grizzlies will need Morant to return to his All-NBA form quickly if they hope to keep up in a competitive Western Conference, making the timing of his recovery crucial for the team's aspirations this season.