Ja Morant will not be in the Memphis Grizzlies’ lineup against the San Antonio Spurs, the No. 2 team in the Western Conference with a stellar 54-18 record. The Grizzlies are riding a skid, except for the one time they handed the Denver Nuggets a shock loss, the No. 4 team in the West.
Ja Morant’s Health Update and Expected Return for the Grizzlies
Morant sprained his left elbow in January and has been sidelined since. Recovery has been slower than expected, and the ligament still hasn’t fully healed weeks later. According to recent reports, the Grizzlies guard will undergo a treatment plan that includes a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection to aid healing.
His full recovery is not expected until the end of the 2025–26 season, with all eyes on the 2026–27 season. He played just 20 games this season, averaging 19.5 points, 8.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds. He has played only 79 games over the last three years due to a slew of injuries, suspensions, and ongoing controversies.
He was the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, following his successful college years with the Murray State Racers men’s basketball team. He earned the NBA Rookie of the Year honor in 2020 and was named to the NBA All-Star Game as a starter for the first time in 2022.
Besides Morant, forward Brandon Clarke will also miss the remainder of the season as he continues rehabilitation. Clarke suffered a Grade 2 calf strain, bringing his season to a premature end and making it another frustrating year in terms of availability. The team has decided not to rush him back as he continues to heal and sets his sights on a return in the 2026–27 season.
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Moreover, Zach Edey is also dealing with discomfort in his left elbow and will miss the remainder of the season.
The 2025–26 season has turned into a trouble-filled year for the Memphis team. They slipped to 12th in the Western Conference and will finish outside playoff contention. The constant lineup changes limited their consistency and chemistry, as they lost 11 of their last 12 games. They were riding an eight-game losing streak until snapping it in the Denver-Grizzlies matchup.
The 2024–25 season was a mixed campaign for the only team based in Memphis. The team was inconsistent in playmaking but reached the Western Conference playoffs, where they ended their run in the early rounds. They haven’t had a championship breakthrough yet and are continuing a title and NBA Finals drought.
