Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12).
Key Points
Ja Morant’s 2025-26 campaign has once again been disrupted by injury. The Memphis Grizzlies star suffered a right calf strain in mid-November, going down just minutes into the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers before being ruled out.
The setback has forced him to miss 10 straight games, contributing to Memphis’s uneven stretch as the team struggled to generate offense without its lead playmaker. Through 12 games this season, Morant is averaging 17.9 points, 7.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds, but shooting just 35.9% from the field and 16.7% from three.
His absence has left Memphis cycling through young options at guard and adjusting nightly to compensate for his lost production.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12)
The Grizzlies (11-13) have hovered near a .500 record during this stretch, unable to establish rhythm without Morant orchestrating the offense.
Ahead of Friday’s matchup with the Utah Jazz, Morant’s status finally shifted in a positive direction. He was initially listed as questionable to return on Thursday, marking his first meaningful step toward rejoining the lineup. By Friday’s injury report, he had been upgraded to probable, with the team officially announcing the update on X:
“Ja Morant is probable tonight against the Utah Jazz.”
If he returns, it would immediately restore a primary scoring and playmaking option for Memphis, particularly as the team continues to face intense trade speculation involving Morant’s long-term future. The Grizzlies have been working through offensive stagnation without him, and his return would stabilize rotations and ease the burden on their young contributors.
This boost becomes even more important with the Grizzlies navigating additional injuries. Center Zach Edey is out at least four weeks with a stress reaction in his left ankle, the same ankle he had surgery on before the season. Before the setback, Edey averaged 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks, making his absence another major hit to Memphis’s interior presence.
The Grizzlies will host the Jazz on Friday at 8:00 p.m. ET at FedExForum, with the game airing on FDSSE and KJZZ in local markets. A potential Morant return headlines the night as Memphis looks to stabilize and push forward through the mid-season stretch.
View post: Timberwolves Target Ja Morant After Decision on Anthony Edwards Trade EmergesMinnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12).
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12).