The Grizzlies were led by star guard Ja Morant with 24 points on 8-22 shooting in a losing effort, but the two-time All-Star possibly should have been sidelined.

Morant entered the game with a shoulder injury, which has held him out of Memphis’ last two contests, but the star guard powered through and played anyway.

Following the loss, Morant revealed that he probably should not have suited up on Wednesday night, pushing his limits with the lingering shoulder injury.

When asked if this injury would affect him the rest of the season, he responded, “I don’t know.” Morant’s injuries have become a major issue, and admitting that he only suited up on Wednesday night because it was such a big matchup is quite a concern.

Morant has already missed 24 games this season, and his lingering injuries have been a turning point for Memphis. With their star guard consistently hurt, it gets hard for the Grizzlies to stay in rhythm, and it will likely impact them in the postseason.

In their next four games, the Grizzlies face all lottery teams, so if Morant has to miss a few days now is the time before they get into the meat of their late-season schedule.

March 6 – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 41 points to lead visiting Oklahoma City to a 120-103 victory Wednesday over the slumping Memphis Grizzlies, who lost their season-high fourth straight game.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 51 points in the Thunder’s home victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday, posted his 10th 40-point game of the season, which leads the NBA. He was 14-of-25 from the field and 10-of-10 from the free throw line. He also had eight assists.

Jalen Williams added 20 points and nine assists for the Thunder, Aaron Wiggins scored 16 points and Isaiah Hartenstein finished with 10 points and 15 rebounds.

The Thunder won their fifth straight game overall and their eighth consecutive game over the Grizzlies.

Ja Morant, back in the lineup for Memphis after a two-game absence due to a shoulder contusion, finished with 24 points and six assists. Desmond Bane contributed 15 points and six rebounds, and Brandon Clarke had 13 points and 11 boards.

The Grizzlies finished their longest homestand of the season by winning only one of five games. They lost for the seventh time in nine games.

Oklahoma City put the game away in the fourth quarter after Memphis trimmed the lead to six points early in the period. A 16-2 run put the Thunder up 107-87. Gilgeous-Alexander ended the run with a jumper in the paint.

Memphis played without All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who sustained a left ankle sprain early in Monday’s home loss to Atlanta. He will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis. Jackson is the team’s leading scorer (22.7 points per game) and best defender. He ranks first on the team in steals and blocks.

Oklahoma City led 61-55 at the half behind 17 points and five assists from Gilgeous-Alexander, and it gradually extended the lead in the third quarter.

After the Grizzlies trimmed the Thunder advantage to 67-64 on a 3-pointer by Morant, Gilgeous-Alexander kicked off an 11-0 run with a 3-pointer of his own. Gilgeous-Alexander had seven points during the run.

Before the third quarter ended, the Thunder built a 17-point lead.