Ja Morant to miss at least three weeks with elbow sprain, sidelined through trade deadline
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The Memphis Grizzlies announced Saturday that guard Ja Morant has been diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow and will be re-evaluated in three weeks, keeping him out past the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.
Earlier this month, league insider Shams Charania reported that Memphis had entertained trade inquiries for the two-time All-Star. According to league sources, interest has been limited, largely because of Morant’s availability issues. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, he has appeared in just 79 games due to suspensions and multiple injuries.
Morant, 26, is averaging 19.5 points and 8.1 assists while shooting career lows of 41.0 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from three-point range in 20 games this season. He has two years and $87 million remaining on his contract after this season; the Grizzlies declined to pursue an extension last offseason.
The elbow injury occurred on a chase-down block during Wednesday’s home loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Morant finished that game with 23 points and 12 assists but noticeably favored his left arm.
Wednesday’s outing was only his second game back after missing six contests with a calf contusion. Following his return last Sunday in London—a win over the Orlando Magic in which he posted 24 points and 13 assists—Morant reiterated his desire to remain with the franchise, pointing to a tattoo of the Grizzlies logo on his back as a symbol of loyalty.
Source: ESPN
