Ja Morant sprained his left ankle during Sunday’s practice and is considered week-to-week, a Grizzlies spokesperson tells Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (Twitter link).
The injury almost certainly means Morant will miss Memphis’ five preseason games. It also jeopardizes his availability for the regular season opener October 22 against New Orleans.
The Grizzlies were hoping for improved health from their star guard, who was limited to 50 games last season due to a variety of injuries, including some recurring issues in his surgically repaired right shoulder. He also suffered a hip injury during the playoffs that forced him to miss the final game of the first-round series against Oklahoma City.
Throughout his career, durability has been a major concern for Morant, who only appeared in nine games during the 2023/24 season due to the shoulder injury. He has never played more than 67 games in a season, and that total came as a rookie.
Morant was still an elite performer when he was healthy last season, posting 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 30.4 minutes per night. The Grizzlies will rely on his scoring more than ever after sending longtime backcourt partner Desmond Bane to Orlando in an offseason trade.
Scotty Pippen Jr. figures to take over as the starting point guard until Morant can return. Pippen made 21 starts last season.