Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant
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Ja Morant will miss another game as Memphis continues to search for stability without its star guard.
The latest absence of All-Star point guard Ja Morant underscores a familiar problem for the Memphis Grizzlies: instability. The Grizzlies will again be without their star guard Friday night when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder, as Morant remains sidelined with a right calf contusion. It will be his fourth consecutive missed game, extending a season-long pattern that has left Memphis scrambling for continuity.
Morant’s setback dates back to a Jan. 2 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers, when he appeared visibly uncomfortable late in the game. Since then, he has consistently hovered between questionable and out, including Tuesday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns, when head coach Tuomas Iisalo labeled him a game-time decision before ruling him out.
Nothing New For Morant
This is not uncharted territory for Morant. On Nov. 15, he suffered a Grade 1 right calf strain against the Cleveland Cavaliers, an injury that sidelined him for 10 games before he returned on Dec. 12. Friday’s absence will mark his 20th missed game of the season.
When available, Morant has still produced at a high level. In 18 appearances, he’s averaging 19 points and 7.6 assists. But availability has mattered more than efficiency for a Memphis team that has struggled to replicate his creation, pace, and rim pressure in his absence.
The broader context makes the issue more pressing. Oklahoma City enters the matchup trending upward, while Memphis continues to toggle between short bursts of competitiveness and extended stretches of inconsistency. The Grizzlies followed an encouraging home win over the San Antonio Spurs with a lopsided 117-98 loss to Phoenix the following night, a result that again highlighted the thin margin they’re operating within.
Roster Churn Continues to Define Memphis’ Season
Morant’s absence is only part of the equation. Guards Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. have yet to appear this season due to calf and toe injuries, respectively. Memphis has already used more than a dozen different lineups through 37 games, a level of rotation volatility that makes rhythm difficult to establish on either end of the floor.
After Wednesday’s loss, Iisalo spoke candidly about the toll that constant lineup changes take on development and cohesion.
“There is constant instability with the roster,” Iisalo said. “It’s changing every game. You can really start to improve when you have some stability. We haven’t had that yet.”
That instability has shown up most clearly late in games, where decision-making, spacing, and defensive communication have all suffered without consistent personnel. Morant’s absence magnifies each of those weaknesses.
Injury Updates Offer Cautious Optimism
There is at least some positive movement on the injury front. Rookie wing Cedric Coward has been upgraded to questionable after missing multiple games with an ankle injury suffered last Friday. Coward landed on Deandre Ayton’s foot while securing a second-quarter rebound, prompting concern, but an MRI reportedly ruled out serious damage. He could return Friday or Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets.
An update is also expected soon on center Zach Edey, who remains out with a stress reaction in his ankle. His recovery timeline was initially short-term, and clarity on his status could help stabilize Memphis’ frontcourt rotation.
For now, the Grizzlies remain in survival mode. Until Memphis can string together healthy lineups and until Morant’s calf allows him to return without restriction, progress will remain incremental at best. Stability, not upside, is the Grizzlies’ most urgent need. And once again, it starts with No. 12 getting back on the floor.