Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant suffered an ankle injury during the third quarter of their game against the Golden State Warriors. While a hobbled Morant returned to the court as the Grizzlies fell to a 116-121 loss, worries around his health for the rest of the postseason loom large.
The loss to the Warriors means the Grizzlies need to win their next Play-In matchup to secure the No. 8 seed in the West. They’ll face the winner of the Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings 9-10 game tonight.
Despite suffering the injury, Morant has made it clear he will participate in the Grizzlies’ next and final chance to secure Playoff basketball.
“I’m playing. That’s basically the answer I’m giving. It ain’t nothing different.”
Morant ended the loss to the Warriors with 22 points (9-18 FG). The Grizzlies almost completed a 20-point comeback, but dubious referee decisions down the stretch greatly impacted both teams. Ultimately, masterful performances from Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry were too much to overcome for the Grizzlies.
Morant has had various injury concerns over recent years, playing in just 177 of a total of 328 games in the last four seasons. Long-term injuries and suspensions have both played their part, but Morant hasn’t played more than 61 games a season in the last four years.
The Grizzlies stand a major risk of being eliminated by the Kings or Mavericks if Morant struggles to impact the game. However, it’s now or never for the Grizzlies, and Morant is willing to give it everything he has to secure a date against the OKC Thunder in the first round.
Draymond Green Makes Feelings Clear About Ja Morant After Grizzlies-Warriors
On Tuesday evening, Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors beat the Memphis Grizzlies (in the play-in tournament) by a score of 121-116.
Green finished the victory with four points, six rebounds, ten assists, three steals and one block while shooting 1/5 from the field and 0/3 from the three-point range in 31 minutes of playing time.
After the win, the four-time NBA Champion was asked about Ja Morant (who dealt with an injury during the game).
Reporter: “What did you see from Ja Morant? Especially after he came back in the fourth quarter after he kind of hurt himself.”
Green: “The dog that always is Ja. I think he may struggle to play in the game Friday. He came back tonight off straight adrenaline, but that’s who he is. That’s why this franchise has been in the position that they’ve been in over the last few years… Ja is special. He is one of the more special players in this league. Has the heart of a lion… I wasn’t surprised at all. That’s who he’s been.”
Morant finished the loss with 22 points in 35 minutes of playing time.
The Grizzlies will now return home to host either the Sacramento Kings or Dallas Mavericks (on Friday).
Whoever wins will go into the NBA playoffs as the eighth seed.
As for the Warriors, they will now advance to the playoffs as the seventh seed.
They will visit the Houston Rockets for Game 1 of their series on Sunday in Texas.
