Just when everyone thought that everything was brightening up, the Memphis Grizzlies are facing another storm that has the potential to take away their hopes for making it to the playoffs.
Memphis’ starting point guard, Ja Morant, who had just recently returned from a 25-game suspension, is now confronted with another injury that could possible cost him this entire season.
Ja Morant’s subluxation and the unexpected labral tear
The Memphis Grizzlies made an disheartening announcement with regards to their star player, Ja Morant. It seems to imply that he will be sidelined for the rest of the season due to a tear in his right shoulder.
The injury specifies a labral tear on his right shoulder during the Grizzlies’ practice sessions. With deep discouragement after hearing the medical reports, Morant expressed his immediate reaction with a “damn dawg” on X.
His absence is indeed a significant setback for the Grizzlies, who were actually banking on his agility to lead them further in the Western Conference standings. The guard has been leading the team with an average of 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game in the previous season.
Throughout the 9 games that Morant has played this season, the team was able to ragged up a commendable 6-3 record. The team, already sitting with a 13-23 record, hoped for some improvement on Morant’s promised return. As Ja has to undergo a ‘season-ending’ surgery, this prompts the team to focus on the long-term and lay the groundwork for a better return in the next season.
Repercussions on Memphis’ postseason aspirations in the absence of their star guard
The Memphis Grizzlies, currently standing at the 13th spot in the league with a record of 13-23, recently received an awful report form the medical staff regarding their star player, Ja Morant. This sudden twist of fate in the form of Morant’s season-ending shoulder injury has somewhat cast a shadow over the Grizzlies’ playoff aspirations.
Morant’s has contributed positively to the team by averaging 25.1 points and 8.1 assists per game this season. The absence of the star guard pushes the team to make some shift in their strategy, placing an increased responsibility on emerging talents like Desmond Bane.
The rookie has been connecting on multiple shots beyond the arc in six of Memphis’ games, which now registers as the second-longest streak to start a career in NBA history. He also happens to average 13 points on the board in his last three outings.
With Morant’s absence for the rest of the season, will the Memphis Grizzlies be able to make their way to the playoffs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.
