Grizzlies Star Ja Morant’s Status ‘In Jeopardy’ For Game 2 Against Lakers
Midway through the fourth quarter of what had to that point been a hotly contested first round playoff series opener, Memphis Grizzlies All-Star point guard Ja Morant departed this afternoon's surprising 128-112 Los Angeles Lakers victory with an apparent right hand injury.
When Morant did return to the Grizzlies' bench only to watch LA run away with the game, he did so while wearing a wrap around his hand.
After the game, Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins conceded that Morant was feeling the ailment, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
"He's in some pain," Jenkins revealed, noting that imaging of the hand was negative.
MacMahon adds that Morant had already been struggling with a prior ailment to the extremity. Morant's right wrist and hand are being examined by Memphis' medical team.
Most troubling for Memphis fans, however, is what Morant later said when speaking with the media scrum postgame.
MacMahon reveals that Morant called his availability for this playoff series' second game on Wednesday "in jeopardy."
"Feels like it's one thing after another," Morant complained.
Per MacMahon, Morant was unable to even undo a balled-up pair of socks with the ailing hand, an unfortunate fact for Memphis' lead ball handler.
Morant has had a particularly dramatic season. Earlier this year, he spent eight games away from the team after the NBA investigated him for bringing a gun to a Colorado strip club. He had also been previously investigated by the league after a group of his friends threateningly pointed lasers at several Indiana Pacers team members following a game. To top off his eventful year, 2022 All-NBA First Teamer also apparently punched a minor during an offseason altercation and threatened a mall security guard.
One of the most popular young players, Morant's off-court shenanigans may have deeply damaged his Q rating, but it doesn't seem to have adversely impacted his relationship with his teammates.
Unfortunately for the Grizz, he's not the only key rotation player who would be absent for their second game against LA. Starting center Steven Adams and reserve big man Brandon Clarke are also going to miss the duration of the playoffs with their respective issues. First-year combo forward Jake LaRavia has a sore right calf and could return at some point in the series, but the deep bench rookie isn't exactly going to turn things around for Memphis.
If Morant does have to miss extended time, the Lakers need to respond with force, and try to secure another road win Wednesday. Memphis is a tough, deep club, and his backup, Tyus Jones, is one of the top reserves in the league.
A Morant absence would probably shift the odds of advancing to LA's favor, but the team needs to stay as locked-in as it was today and not take the club's remaining healthy personnel for granted.
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