In a devastating blow to the Memphis Grizzlies’ championship aspirations, superstar guard Ja Morant is expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a posterior hip subluxation and multiple Grade 1 pelvic muscle strains. The electrifying All-Star sustained the injuries during the third quarter of Wednesday’s victory over the Los Angeles Lakers when he was knocked off-balance in midair attempting to catch a lob pass.
According to the Grizzlies, imaging revealed that while Morant thankfully avoided a full hip dislocation, the subluxation and accompanying muscle strains will sideline him for the foreseeable future. The 24-year-old franchise cornerstone is now considered week-to-week as he begins his recovery and rehabilitation process.
A Season of Setbacks
Morant’s extended absence is the latest in a string of injury woes that have plagued the Grizzlies since the start of the season. The team is already without starting guards Desmond Bane (oblique strain) and Marcus Smart (ankle sprain), both of whom have not played since an October 30th loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
Last season, Morant was limited to just nine games as Memphis stumbled to a disappointing 27-55 record amid a rash of injuries to key players. The 2020 Rookie of the Year began the campaign serving a 25-game league suspension and later required season-ending shoulder surgery after getting hurt in January.
“It’s been one thing after another, but we can’t hang our heads,” a team source said of the squad’s injury misfortunes. “Everyone has to stay ready and step up until we get our guys back. That’s been the story of our season so far.”
Next Man Up Mentality
With Morant on the mend, the Grizzlies will once again need to lean heavily on their lauded depth to stay afloat in a hyper-competitive Western Conference. Backup point guard Scotty Pippen Jr., son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen, recorded the first triple-double of his young career while filling in for Morant during Friday’s win over the Washington Wizards.
Memphis sits at 6-4 through the first three weeks of the season, treading water amidst the early injury onslaught. If Morant’s recovery timeline extends beyond a few weeks, the Grizzlies’ front office may be forced to explore external reinforcements to bolster the backcourt. However, mortgaging future assets for a short-term bandage would be a bitter pill to swallow for a franchise with its sights firmly set on sustainable contention.
The Road Ahead
When healthy, Morant is the undisputed engine that makes the Grizzlies go. The 2022 Most Improved Player is averaging 20.6 points and 9.1 assists through 10 games this season, numbers that fail to fully encapsulate his immense impact on both ends of the floor. His unique blend of explosion, craftiness, and leadership have firmly established him as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars.
As Morant begins his rehab, the Grizzlies can only hope that their franchise pillar makes a full and rapid recovery. In the meantime, Memphis must weather the storm without their offensive catalyst and emotional leader. For a team with championship dreams, the margin for error is razor-thin. Every game matters in the battle for playoff positioning.
The basketball world will be watching intently to see how this resilient Grizzlies squad responds to yet another bout of adversity. With Morant sidelined indefinitely and reinforcements potentially on the way, one thing is certain: the road ahead will severely test the mettle of this tenacious Memphis team.
