The Memphis Grizzlies’ turbulent season has been dealt another major blow, as star guard Ja Morant is expected to miss the next three weeks with a sprained elbow.
This development forces the Grizzlies to navigate a pivotal stretch of their schedule without their best player, intensifying pressure on a front office already considering a dramatic offseason reshuffle.
The Injury and Its Immediate Impact
Morant suffered a left elbow sprain, an injury confirmed by the team’s medical staff. While not considered season-ending, the typical recovery timeline for such an injury means Morant could miss approximately 10-15 games.
His absence creates a massive void in the Grizzlies’ lineup, where he has been the undisputed engine of the offense, averaging 25.1 points and 8.1 assists per game this season.
The timing is particularly brutal for a Grizzlies team fighting to stay in the Western Conference Play-In picture. With a record of 22-28, they currently sit 12th in the conference, two games out of the final play-in spot.
A Complicated Backdrop: Morant’s Uncertain Future
The injury occurs against the backdrop of intense and persistent trade rumors. For weeks, league insiders have reported that the Grizzlies’ front office is actively “entertaining trade offers” for Morant, despite the guard’s own very public declarations of loyalty to Memphis.
Just days before the injury, Morant made his stance unequivocally clear: “I’ve got a logo on my back, so that should tell you exactly where I want to be… I’m a very loyal guy.”
This injury his latest in a string of ailments that have limited him to fewer than 60 games in three consecutive seasons only amplifies those concerns for potential trade partners.
The Front Office’s Dilemma
Morant’s injury presents the Grizzlies’ management with a complex problem as the NBA trade deadline approaches on February 5.
- Damaged Trade Value: A significant injury to their best asset immediately before the deadline effectively removes Morant from any imminent trade discussions. Teams are highly unlikely to engage in blockbuster talks for a player who is injured and whose condition post-recovery is unknown.
- The “Wait Until Summer” Scenario: This injury all but guarantees that if a Morant trade happens, it will be in the offseason. This aligns with earlier reporting from insiders like Brett Siegel
- Evaluating the Remaining Roster: The next three weeks become an involuntary evaluation period for the Grizzlies. How the team performs without Morant could be a decisive data point for the front office.
What’s Next for Memphis and Morant?
In the short term, the Grizzlies must find a way to survive. Veterans like Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane will be tasked with increased ball-handling and scoring duties.
For Ja Morant, the coming weeks are about recovery and reflection. His immediate future on the court is in a brace, not on the hardwood. But his longer term future in Memphis remains the biggest unanswered question in the NBA.
This injury pauses the trade saga but does nothing to resolve the fundamental tensions between player loyalty and front-office strategy that have come to define the Grizzlies’ season.