Ja Morant week-to-week after spraining left ankle; Hornets still testing starting lineup; Wizards sign Skal Labissiere
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MEMPHIS — Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is listed as week-to-week after turning his left ankle during Sunday’s practice, a team spokesperson told The Memphis Commercial Appeal. The injury is expected to sideline him for all five preseason games and places his availability for the Oct. 22 regular-season opener against New Orleans in doubt.
Morant, 25, has never appeared in more than 67 games in a season. He played only nine contests in 2023-24 following shoulder surgery and was limited to 50 games the previous year because of shoulder and hip issues. When available, he averaged 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds last season. With Desmond Bane traded to Orlando this summer, Memphis plans to rely heavily on Morant’s production; for now, Scotty Pippen Jr. is expected to handle point-guard duties after making 21 starts last year.
Hornets
CHARLOTTE — Coach Charles Lee said two starting spots remain open as the Hornets evaluate combinations early in the preseason, according to The Charlotte Observer. Moussa Diabaté opened at center in Sunday’s exhibition against Oklahoma City, while rookie forward Kon Knueppel—the No. 4 overall pick—started on the wing.
Lee noted that Tre Mann, Knueppel and Collin Sexton should be ready “to start a lot of different ways.” Knueppel paced Charlotte with 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting, including 4-for-10 from three-point range, and said the rotation will adjust based on matchups rather than fixed roles.
Wizards
WASHINGTON — The Wizards have signed forward/center Skal Labissiere to an Exhibit 10 contract and waived Akoldah Gak to clear the roster spot. Labissiere, 29, returned to the NBA for a brief stint with Sacramento last March after spending more than four seasons out of the league. He averaged 16.1 points and 7.9 rebounds for the G League’s Stockton Kings last year.
Because he owns more than four years of NBA service, Labissiere is ineligible for a two-way deal. The Exhibit 10 agreement allows him to earn a bonus if he spends at least 60 days with Washington’s G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go.
Source: Hoops Wire
