Ja Morant's injury news is big for the Memphis Grizzlies

No, not now.

That’s what Memphis Grizzlies fans had to think when star point guard Ja Morant fell to the ground after a devastating hit from New Orleans Pelicans center Daniel Theis on Friday night.

The screen led to a right shoulder injury in the third quarter of the Grizzlies’ 132-124 win Friday night against the Pelicans.

Morant left the game after scoring 25 points and adding seven assists.

The timing isn’t ideal, not only because the Grizzlies (22-10) have moved up to No. 2 in the Western Conference standings, but they’re also facing their toughest stretch of the season yet.

Next up are four road games against respectable Western Conference opponents, starting Sunday in Oklahoma City (6 p.m., Fan Duel Sports Network). Morant’s injury status will have a big impact on how Memphis prepares for this phase.

What you should know about Ja Morant’s shoulder injury

This isn’t the first time Morant has suffered a right shoulder injury. Morant required surgery on the same shoulder in January, forcing him to miss the remainder of the 2024 season.

Morant was fully cleared to return over the summer and has shown no signs of limitations since undergoing surgery.

The Grizzlies had no update on Morant immediately after the game.

“Obviously he took a nice hit to the shoulder, but we’ll get more evaluations in the next few days,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said.

What if Ja Morant is unavailable?

If Morant can’t play on Sunday, the Grizzlies should continue to rely on Jaren Jackson Jr. The seventh-year forward finished with 33 points on Friday, exiting the game after Morant left. He also added four steals and three blocks, showing why he won the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Jackson already has a larger role with Santi Aldama sidelined with an ankle injury. Without Aldama, the Grizzlies play Jackson more and rely on his versatility at the four and five.

With Morant out, those skills will be even more emphasized.

Desmond Bane is also starting to look like the guy the Grizzlies view as a core member of the team. He scores more efficiently and showcases his secondary playmaking abilities.

Bane finished Friday’s game with 18 points and eight assists.

What’s next?

New Orleans was the first leg of a five-game road trip. Memphis will travel to the top-seeded Thunder on Sunday, then face the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors before returning home. The games against Sacramento and Golden State will be back-to-back games.

Memphis has relied on its strength all season despite constant injuries. With Marcus Smart and Aldama out, the Grizzlies have already lost two key players. Vince Williams Jr. hasn’t played much this season and GG Jackson hasn’t played at all this season, but those two are also expected to be impact players when healthy.

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Ja Morant’s injury news is big for the Memphis Grizzlies

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