In a concerning development for the Memphis Grizzlies, star point guard Ja Morant has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 sprain of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint in his right shoulder, the team announced on Monday. The dynamic 25-year-old is now considered week-to-week as he begins his recovery process.
Morant, who was already nursing a surgically repaired labrum in that same right shoulder, suffered this latest setback when he crashed into a hard screen set by New Orleans Pelicans center Daniel Theis during the Grizzlies’ matchup on Friday night. The painful collision sent Morant crashing to the hardwood and was initially ruled an offensive foul before being overturned upon replay review.
Assessing the Impact on Memphis
This injury news comes as a significant blow to a Grizzlies squad that currently sits at 22-11, good for second place in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. Since being drafted 2nd overall in 2019, Morant has blossomed into the unquestioned face of the franchise and one of the NBA’s most electrifying young stars.
In 18 games so far this season, the 2022 Most Improved Player is averaging:
- 21.2 points
- 7.9 assists
- 5.5 rebounds
Without Morant’s elite playmaking and scoring ability, Memphis will need its talented supporting cast, led by forwards Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, to step up in a major way. The Grizzlies have already had to navigate injuries to key players like Ziaire Williams and Justise Winslow, so their depth will once again be put to the test.
Road to Recovery
While Grade 1 is considered a mild sprain, the Grizzlies will certainly exercise an abundance of caution with their franchise centerpiece. Morant previously underwent season-ending surgery this past January to repair a labral tear in the same problematic right shoulder. He was cleared to return to basketball activities in July but may still be dealing with lingering effects.
Morant, understandably, was devastated by the diagnosis. “To be sidelined again, it’s frustrating… I just want to be out there battling with my teammates,” the All-Star told reporters. “I’m going to attack my rehab like I always do and come back stronger.”
– Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Point Guard
The silver lining for Memphis is that, if all goes well, this injury won’t require another surgical procedure, only rest and rehabilitation. However, with each passing week, Morant inches dangerously closer to falling short of the league’s 65-game minimum threshold to be eligible for major accolades like All-NBA honors.
Weathering the Storm
Despite this discouraging development, the Grizzlies remain one of the deepest, most well-rounded teams in the NBA. With a rock-solid infrastructure in place under head coach Taylor Jenkins, they’ve proven equipped to handle adversity and compete with the league’s elite even without their best player.
As the basketball world awaits more clarity on Morant’s situation, expect Memphis to rally around its fallen leader and maintain its standing as a true championship contender. The Western Conference is an unforgiving gauntlet, but if any team is built to withstand a blow like this, it’s these battle-tested Grizzlies.
