Ja Morant Expected to Return Friday; Grizzlies List Guard as Probable
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Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has been upgraded to probable for Friday’s home matchup against the Utah Jazz, signaling his likely return after a 10-game absence caused by a right calf strain.
The change in status appeared on the team’s injury report Thursday, one day after head coach Tuomas Iisalo said Morant completed a full practice and was trending toward playing for the first time since Nov. 15.
Morant, 26, opened the 2025-26 campaign slowly. Over 11 games before the injury, he averaged 18.9 points, 8.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 35.2 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from beyond the arc, with Memphis going 4-7 in those contests. He also served a one-game, team-imposed suspension following a disagreement with the coaching staff.
Iisalo recently praised Morant’s engagement and leadership while sidelined, yet Memphis’ ball movement and offensive efficiency have improved statistically without the former All-Star on the floor.
The Grizzlies will still be short-handed in the frontcourt. Starting center Zach Edey—who returned from offseason ankle surgery shortly before Morant went down—will miss approximately four weeks due to ongoing issues with that same ankle. Morant and Edey have shared the court for only five minutes this season.
Friday’s crowd at FedExForum will include several fans personally invited by Morant, who purchased 250 tickets earlier in the week to distribute for the matchup against Utah.
Source: Hoops Rumors
