Morant will be allowed to travel and participate in practice with the Grizzlies during his 25-game suspension, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reports.
This is great news for Morant, and it means he could hit the ground running once he serves his suspension. In the meantime, the Grizzlies will rely on Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane to run the offense.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Receives 25-game suspension
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Morant has been suspended 25 games by the NBA, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Morant was suspended from team activities by the Grizzlies in May after appearing to flash a gun during an Instagram Live video. After being suspended eight games by the league earlier last season due to a similar incident, Morant will face a lengthy absence to begin the 2023-24 campaign. However, now that Morant's punishment is known, the Grizzlies will presumably be able to prepare during the offseason and add an additional point guard to serve as a backup to Tyus Jones early in the year.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Suspended indefinitely
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The Grizzlies suspended Morant from all team activities Sunday pending a review from the NBA.
Morant appeared to flash a gun during an Instagram Live video Sunday morning. The incident occurred just two months after the point guard served an eight-game league suspension stemming from a similar situation. Given that it's the offseason for Memphis, it's unclear if Morant will face any immediate repercussions, but it's certainly possible the league sends a message and forces him to sit out a significant number of games to begin the 2023-24 NBA season.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Struggles in playoff exit
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Morant posted 10 points (3-16 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-4 FT), five rebounds, six assists and three steals across 34 minutes during Friday's 125-85 loss to the Lakers in Game 6 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Morant struggled in a game where the Grizzlies needed him the most, and in fact, his poor performance was perhaps the best example of how overmatched Memphis looked in the series against a vastly experienced Lakers team. Morant was inconsistent throughout the six contests, mixing stellar performances in Game 3 and Game 5 with subpar efforts in Games 1, 4 and 6 and missing Game 2. He ended the series averaging 24.6 points, 7.0 assists and 6.8 rebounds per game, figures that were a tick below his regular-season averages.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Near triple-double in Game 5 win
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Morant amassed 31 points (13-26 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 10 rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 38 minutes during Wednesday's 116-99 victory over the Lakers in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Despite dealing with a hand injury, Morant finished as one of two Grizzlies players with 30 or more points while posting a double-double and finishing three assists shy of a triple-double. Morant, who led the team in assists along with a team-high-tying rebound mark, has tallied at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists in two games this postseason.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Returns with 45-point explosion
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Morant closed with 45 points (13-26 FG, 6-10 3Pt, 13-14 FT), nine rebounds and 13 assists across 42 minutes during Saturday's 111-101 loss to the Lakers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Although Morant was wearing a brace on his injured right hand, the All-Star was brilliant throughout and muscled his way to a 24-point fourth quarter, which put the Grizzles within striking distance. Ultimately, the effort fell short, but Memphis will likely need similar production from Morant moving forward if they hope to salvage the series.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Will start Saturday
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Morant (hand) will start in Game 3 against the Lakers on Saturday, Mark Medina of NBA.com reports.
Morant was always expected to be a game-time decision after missing Game 2 due to a hand injury, and the star floor general will end up playing and starting after participating in Friday's non-contact practice. It remains to be seen if he'll have any kind of restrictions, but since this is a playoff contest, it seems safe to believe Morant will handle a regular workload if he looks healthy as the game progresses. Morant's return means Tyus Jones will likely head back to a bench role.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Expected to be game-time decision
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Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins said Morant (hand) participated in Friday's non-contact practice and expects the point guard to be listed as questionable for Saturday's Game 3 against the Lakers, Joe Vardon of The Athletic reports.
Morant aggravated a hand injury during the Grizzlies' Game 1 loss and was ruled out for Game 2 after initially being dubbed a game-time decision. If the All-Star remains sidelined for Game 3, Tyus Jones would presumably draw another start at point guard.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Out for Game 2
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Morant (hand) has been ruled out Wednesday for Game 2 of the Grizzlies' first-round playoff series versus the Lakers, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
The right hand injury that Morant suffered in the Grizzlies' Game 1 loss will keep him sidelined Wednesday, and for the time being, he should be viewed as questionable ahead of Saturday's Game 3. Tyus Jones is expected to fill in for Morant as the Grizzlies' starting point guard, while Desmond Bane will see some increased playmaking responsibilities.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Officially deemed questionable
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Morant (hand) is questionable for Wednesday's game versus the Lakers.
Coach Taylor Jenkins said earlier that Morant will be a game-time decision Wednesday due to a right hand injury he suffered in Game 1. Tyus Jones and Luke Kennard will likely receive increased roles in Memphis' backcourt if Morant is ruled out.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Will be game-time decision
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Head coach Taylor Jenkins said Tuesday that Morant (hand) will be a game-time decision for Wednesday's Game 2 against the Lakers, Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian reports.
Per Hill, Morant is dealing with a soft tissue bruise on his right hand, which was an aggravation of a previous injury, but he was able to do some dribbling and shooting during Tuesday's practice. The Grizzlies have yet to release their official injury report, which should drop sometime Tuesday afternoon, but it looks like the point guard is questionable, at best. If Morant is sidelined, Tyus Jones would presumably move into the starting lineup.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Status up in air
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Morant (hand) is believed to be dealing with a pain-tolerance injury after X-rays came back clean, but his status for Game 2 against the Lakers on Wednesday remains up in the air, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Monday that there is "significant doubt" Morant will be able to play in Game 2, but the Grizzlies have yet to release their official injury report, which should drop sometime Tuesday afternoon. The point guard described his pain level as a 10 out of 10 after leaving Sunday's Game 1 loss, but it remains to be seen if he's made any progress. If Morant is forced to the sidelines, Tyus Jones would presumably move into the starting lineup.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Status for Game 2 in doubt
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There is "significant doubt" Morant (hand) will be able to play during Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round against the Lakers on Wednesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Morant exited Sunday's Game 1 due to a right hand injury, but he underwent X-rays that came back clear. However, he described his pain after the game as a 10 out of 10 and indicated that there's a possibility he won't be able to play in Game 2. If Morant is held out Wednesday, Tyus Jones should see plenty of run in the Grizzlies' backcourt.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: X-rays negative on right hand
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Coach Taylor Jenkins said that X-rays on Morant's injured right hand came back negative, but there will be more evaluations over the coming days, Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian reports.
Jenkins added that Morant, who was unable to return to Sunday's Game 1 loss to the Lakers, is in "some pain," but the extent of his injury is currently unclear. If he needs to miss Game 2 on Wednesday, Tyus Jones would get all the run he could handle in a starting role. Following the game, he indicated that there's a chance he sits Wednesday, but his status should come into focus based on how he feels in the coming days.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Heads to locker room
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Morant went to the locker room during Game 1 against the Lakers on Sunday due to an apparent right wrist injury, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.
Morant had his right wrist wrapped before the game, but it didn't appear to bother him much, as he posted 18 points (8-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt), six rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes. However, after taking a brutal fall following a dunk attempt late in the fourth quarter, the dynamic point guard ran straight to the locker room. If he's unable to return, Tyus Jones would presumably be the primary beneficiary.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Good to go for Game 1
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Morant (hand) is not on the injury report for Sunday's game against the Lakers.
Morant sat out the Grizzlies' regular-season finale with soreness in his right hand but was given the green light ahead of Sunday's contest. Considering he has had a full week off from game action, Morant should be expected to be a full-go and resume his starting point guard spot.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Officially out Sunday
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Morant (hand) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Thunder.
Morant was doubtful for Sunday's regular-season finale due to his sore right hand, and it isn't very surprising to see him sitting out. He'll have a few days to rest prior to the start of the playoffs, while John Konchar will draw the start for the Grizzlies on Sunday.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Doubtful for season finale
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Morant (right hand soreness) is unlikely to play in Sunday's game against the Thunder.
Morant is joined by Tyus Jones (foot), Dillon Brooks (groin), Desmond Bane (knee), Jaren Jackson (elbow) and Santi Aldama (elbow) as doubtful for the contest. Jacob Gilyard, Luke Kennard, John Konchar and David Roddy could all see large workloads Sunday if the Grizzlies end up shorthanded.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Off injury report for Friday
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Morant (hip) isn't listed on the injury report for Friday's game versus the Bucks.
Morant sat out Wednesday's game with left hip soreness, but the issue appears minor, and he should resume his regular role as the starting point guard Friday. In five appearances since rejoining the starting lineup, Morant is averaging 22.6 points, 7.6 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals over 31.8 minutes per game.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Officially out
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Morant (hip) will not play in Wednesday's game against the Pelicans.
As expected, Morant will be held out of Wednesday's contest due to right hip soreness after initially nabbing a doubtful tag. Tyus Jones will likely slide into Morant's starting point guard spot, while Kennedy Chandler could see more run off the bench. Morant's next chance to play will come Friday in Milwaukee.
