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Ja Morant's Injury Status for Grizzlies-Hornets NBA Preseason Game

The Memphis Grizzlies are going to be cautious with Ja Morant.

Joey Linn

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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The Memphis Grizzlies played their first NBA preseason game on Monday against the Dallas Mavericks. Star point guard Ja Morant made his return to the court in this game after making just nine appearances last season.

A shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery ended Morant’s 2023-24 campaign after just nine games. This was especially disappointing since Morant had just returned from a 25-game suspension.

Morant played 18 minutes in Monday’s game against the Mavericks, tallying 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Suffering an ankle injury, Morant made two trips back to the locker room, the second of which ended his night.

Speaking with reporters, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins gave an update on Morant’s injury.

Via Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal: “Mild ankle sprain for Ja Morant, per Taylor Jenkins. Grizzlies will be cautious, but no concerns for opening day.”

Cole added in his article that Morant is unlikely to play on Thursday, which is the second NBA preseason game for Memphis.

It would not be surprising if Memphis held Morant out for multiple preseason games. While getting a ramp up in game action after such an extended absence is important, there is no reason for the Grizzlies to push their franchise player in preseason games.

The Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets will tip-off at 5:00 PM PT on Thursday.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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