Grizzlies Coach Expects Ja Morant Back for London Matchup vs. Magic
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LONDON — Memphis Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo said Saturday that star guard Ja Morant is likely to return from a left calf injury for Sunday’s game against the Orlando Magic at the O2 Arena, the second leg of the NBA Europe series.
“There’s a good chance he plays,” Iisalo told reporters after practice. “He went through the entire session today, and now we need to see how his body reacts in the morning. Nothing is guaranteed, and he has to feel comfortable with the calf.”
Morant, a two-time All-Star, sat out Friday’s opener in the series, a 118-111 Memphis loss in Berlin that doubled as the league’s first regular-season game in Germany. NBA commissioner Adam Silver, speaking that night in the German capital, called Morant’s absence “disappointing” because of the guard’s global popularity.
The 26-year-old did not address the media on Saturday. Trade speculation has surrounded him despite being in the third season of a five-year, $197.2 million contract that pays him about $39.4 million this year. Morant is averaging 19.0 points and 7.6 assists in 2025-26 and owns career averages of 22.4 points and 7.4 assists.
Iisalo described his working relationship with Morant as “very good,” adding that both are focused each day on improvement.
Source: ESPN
