Ja Morant's Injury Status For Heat-Grizzlies Game

According to Damichael Cole of Commercial Appeal, Ja Morant will be available.

Dec 31, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) checks to see how much time is left in the quarter after play and game clock malfunctions during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

On Friday evening, the Memphis Grizzlies will play their final preseason game when they host the Miami Heat in Tennessee.

They are 3-1 in their first four games of the preseason.

Superstar point guard Ja Morant has been out of action for the previous three games.

That said, Damichael Cole of Commercial Appeal reported (on Thursday) that Morant will return against the Heat.

Via Cole on Thursday: "Ja Morant and Marcus Smart will return to the lineup for Friday’s preseason finale, but Jaren Jackson Jr. will be held out."

Ja Morant and Marcus Smart will return to the lineup for Friday’s preseason finale, but Jaren Jackson Jr. will be held out.

More on those decisions here and what needs to happen for Jackson to be available for the season opener.

Story: https://t.co/7iMdCdk5Iu

— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) October 17, 2024

Since it's the preseason, it makes sense why the Grizzlies were cautious with Morant.

He is the team's best player but is coming off a year where he only appeared in nine games.

Despite his limited time on the court last season, Morant averaged 25.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 8.1 assists per contest while shooting 47.1% from the field and 27.5% from the three-point range.

Oct 7, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Memphis Grizzlies at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Grizzlies will play their first game of the regular season on October 23 when they visit the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

After finishing last year as the 13th seed in the Western Conference with a 27-55 record, many fans are anticipating a major bounce-back season from the Grizzlies.

Word is Ja Morant is likely to return for tonight’s preseason finale vs Heat after sitting out last 3 games to rest sore ankle.

Ja returns to a @memgrizz offense making strides in adjustments to higher-paced scheme. He’s talked about how the tweaks positively impact his game: https://t.co/yOvflST9Vu pic.twitter.com/tXmFQxtQpn

— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) October 18, 2024

As for the Heat, they are 3-1 in their first four preseason games.

They will open up the regular season on October 23 when they host the Orlando Magic in Miami.

Last season, the Heat lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs.