Grizzlies Star Ja Morant’s Injury Status Revealed for Wednesday’s Game 2 Against Lakers

Will the All-Star be available tomorrow?

When Memphis Grizzlies All-Star point guard Ja Morant went down halfway through the fourth quarter of its first game in a playoff series against your Los Angeles Lakers with a right hand injury, the ascendant Murray State product indicated that the pain was severe enough he was very skeptical he would play in game two, scheduled for Wednesday. 

After Morant left, the Lakers ran away late to secure a 128-112 road win.

Now, Shams Charania of The Athletic and FanDuel TV has offered some further clarity on the situation. Per Charania, the 6'3" guard will be a game-time decision tomorrow due to what is being described as a soft tissue bruise in the hand.

Ja Morant has a soft tissue bruise and is a game-time decision for Game 2 vs. Lakers, Taylor Jenkins says. https://t.co/VhZbIByDlC

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 18, 2023

"I'm told there are no breaks, no fractures in Ja Morant's hand," Charania revealed today on FanDuel TV. "It's as of right now being treated as more of a pain tolerance injury. It's something that they're going to continue to monitor today. It's clearly severe enough to the point, and painful enough to where Ja Morant said the other night [that] he felt it was a 10 out of 10 when it comes to pain." 

"So his status is still very much up in the air for game two on Wednesday," Charania continued. "The Grizzlies won't have to update his status until later today. I think they'll take their time. It's the playoffs, everyone wants to have an advantage. They're going to keep it close to the vest."

Tim MacMahon of ESPN further revealed that a Monday MRI indicated that landing on the hand to break a fall during the game aggravated a prior soft tissue bruise Morant had incurred during the team's 137-114 blowout defeat of the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month.

Tyus Jones, one of the best reserve point guards in the league, would draw the start if Morant had to miss tomorrow's action. LA needs to capitalize on the absence of the two-time All-Star as long as it can, and try to secure a second straight road victory.

Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!