The Memphis Grizzlies are seeded at No. 13 in the Western Conference with 13 wins in their first 36 games. Although the team is riding on a two-game winning streak, it’s worth noting that only four of the last eight games have been won by the team. The Grizzlies roster was indeed riding on a four-game winning streak when the star player returned to the league after facing a 25-game suspension.
Ja Morant gave hope to the team when he registered his debut on December 19, 2023. However, there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel for the roster, as the star sustained an injury recently. Shams Charania of The Athletic dropped a tweet about the star guard’s injury update. Charania wrote, “Grizzlies’ Ja Morant will undergo season-ending surgery for a labrum tear in the shoulder.”
Grizzlies’ Ja Morant will undergo season-ending surgery for a labrum tear in shoulder.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 9, 2024
Morant sustained an injury after registering a win against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 5, 2024. As per multiple sources, Morant got injured in a training session on January 6, 2024. Furthermore, Ja was ruled out to play against the Phoenix Suns on January 7, 2024, citing right shoulder soreness.
On further evaluation, it was reported that the star had sustained a labral tear in his right shoulder. Since the recovery is expected to last the rest of the season, the star might be unable to record more minutes in the 2023–2024 season. With such tragic news, the chances of playoff contention seem bleak for the team.
Playoff contention is a far-fetched dream for the Grizzlies without Ja Morant
After recording his debut post-suspension, the guard played just nine games in the 2023–24 season. Averaging 25.1 points and 8.1 assists in this short span, the player provided dynamic help to the team as it advanced into Play-In contention. It’s worth noting that, without Morant on the roster, the Grizzlies did register a stellar win over the Phoenix Suns on January 7, 2024.
The Grizzlies are three spots behind the 10th-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference. Joining Steven Adams, the duo are the only Grizzlies to miss the entire season owing to injuries. The Grizzlies were 6-19 before Morant stepped on the hardwood. Post-gameplay, the team escalated to 13–23.
Although the trio of Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, and Jaren Jackson Jr. have got their X-factor back, making it to the playoffs seems like a far-fetched dream. The team will face off against the Dallas Mavericks on January 9, 2024, without Ja Morant. The game will indeed be a sight to behold, as it might decide the trajectory of future games.