Ja Morant’s aggressive playing style is part of what makes him such a special talent, but also makes him susceptible to injury. Some frightening takedowns led to some games lost last season, and in Monday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, Morant suffered what the team is describing as a sprained left ankle. Fortunately, there is no fracture, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, and the team now awaits the results of an MRI scheduled for Tuesday.
The injury came with 2:43 remaining in the second quarter and the Grizzlies leading the Nets 51-45. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot jumped up and Morant, flying behind him, made a savage attempt to block his shot. Instead, it landed on Luwawu-Cabarrot’s foot, apparently twisting his ankle. He immediately jumped off the court in great pain and had to be taken back to the locker room in a wheelchair.
Morant started this season with an absolute tear, averaging 36 points and eight assists in the first two Grizzlies games of the season. Memphis cannot afford to lose him for a significant period of time, due to the other injuries he is already dealing with. Jaren Jackson Jr. has not yet played this season due to a knee injury, and Justise Winslow is still recovering from a hip injury sustained in training before the Orlando bubble restarted.
Brooklyn was certainly losing by six when Morant fell, and by the break, they had already regained the lead, 55-54. The Grizzlies need Morant if they intend to advance to the playoffs at the ultra competitive Western Conference.