BREAKING: Ja Morant's Injury Status In Lakers-Grizzlies Game
![BREAKING: Ja Morant's Injury Status In Lakers-Grizzlies Game BREAKING: Ja Morant's Injury Status In Lakers-Grizzlies Game](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/MTk3Mjk4Nzk3MTcxMTg5NzU1/usatsi_20394177_168388303_lowres.jpg)
UPDATE: Ja Morant's X-rays following the game were negative.
Via ESPN's Tim MacMahon: "X-rays on Ja Morant were negative, according to Taylor Jenkins."
X-rays on Ja Morant were negative, according to Taylor Jenkins.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 16, 2023
UPDATE: Ja Morant has returned to the bench.
Via Underdog NBA: "Status alert: Ja Morant (hand) has returned to Grizzlies' bench Sunday."
Status alert: Ja Morant (hand) has returned to Grizzlies' bench Sunday.
— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) April 16, 2023
On Sunday afternoon, the Memphis Grizzlies are hosting the Los Angeles Lakers for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
During the game, Ja Morant got injured and had to go to the locker room.
Via Underdog NBA: "Status alert: Ja Morant (hand) headed to locker room Sunday."
Status alert: Ja Morant (hand) headed to locker room Sunday.
— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) April 16, 2023
Morant has played 30 minutes and put up 18 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The former Murray State star is the team's best player, so his status is vital to the team's success.
Ja Morant headed to the locker room with an apparent injury after this play. pic.twitter.com/MZOrSN9Tmz
— ESPN (@espn) April 16, 2023
Morant led the Grizzlies to the second seed in the Western Conference for the second straight season, and they had a 51-31 record.
In addition, they are unbelievable on their home floor, with a 35-6 record in the 41 games they have hosted in Memphis, Tennessee.
The game is currently in the fourth quarter, and there has been no word (yet) on if Morant can return.
He is in his fourth season in the NBA and had another fantastic regular season with averages of 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.1 steals per contest in 61 games while shooting 46.6% from the field.
This is the third straight season the Grizzlies have made the playoffs, and they are coming off a year where they lost in the second round to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
As for the Lakers, they are the seventh seed and had a 43-39 record.