Memphis Grizzlies Guard Ja Morant to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant will undergo season-ending surgery after sustaining a subluxation of his right shoulder at a training session on Saturday, the team announced on Monday night.

The Grizzlies stated, “Following ongoing soreness and instability, Morant underwent an MRI that revealed an underlying labral tear.”

Morant, who is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season, averaged 25.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 8.1 assists over nine games before the injury. He led the Grizzlies to a 3-0 record in his first three games of the season and earned Western Conference Player of the Week honors for December 18 to 24.

Currently, Memphis sits 13th in the Western Conference standings with a record of 13-23.

What Morant’s Absence Means for the Grizzlies

Ja Morant’s injury is another setback for the resilient Memphis Grizzlies team. Since Morant’s return on December 19, the team has won 7 out of their last 11 games (6-3 with Morant), with the All-Star guard quickly finding his rhythm despite missing the first 25 games due to suspension. Alongside Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., Morant provided the Grizzlies with the tools to climb up the Western Conference standings in the second half of the season. However, with Morant now out for the remainder of the year, joining starting center Steven Adams on the sidelines, the Grizzlies must face the reality of focusing on next season.

Reaching the playoffs or even the Play-In tournament was always going to be a challenging task for the Grizzlies. Even with Morant’s return, there were concerns about the team’s depth at the wings and in the frontcourt. The returns of Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard, while uplifting for coach Taylor Jenkins, are not enough to compensate for Morant’s absence. The Grizzlies still have enough talent to surprise top teams, with Bane and Jackson taking on larger roles, but without the heart and soul of the organization, it is best for the team to consolidate and look ahead to the 2024-25 season. – Kelly Iko, NBA staff writer

Required Reading

For more information on the Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant, check out these articles:

• Memphis Grizzlies on The Athletic
• Ja Morant Player Profile on The Athletic
• Ja Morant’s Suspension and its Impact on the Grizzlies
• Ja Morant Named Western Conference Player of the Week