The 2023/2024 NBA Season has not been kind to the franchise player of the Memphis Grizzlies Ja Morant, and the player’s fortune this year is not taking any auspicious turn thus far. After returning from his 25-game long suspension due to the violation of NBA rules to have possessed a firearm as seen in many Instagram Live videos, the 24-year-old star point guard has been confirmed to have a devastating shoulder injury, and he is set to undergo a surgery to fix the issue, meaning he is technically out of the season with the decision.
What Happened to Morant in the 2023/2024 Season?
The 24-year-old no. 2 pick of the 2019 NBA Draft only managed to play his first NBA game for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2023/2024 Season towards the end of December 2023, following the conclusion of his 25-game suspension by the league. The extended halt to Ja’s career was due to multiple incident that saw him owning a firearm, an action that violates the regulations stated in the NBA rulebook. Just when one thought the suspension could affect the Memphis Grizzlies guard’s progress in the NBA, Morant did not show any rusts in his first game back for the team, dropping 34 points and a game winner against the New Orleans Pelicans in the much anticipated return.
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How Many Games Have Morant Played for the Memphis Grizzlies This Season?
After his impressive first game after returning to the Memphis Grizzlies, Morant played another eight games in 2023/2024, averaging 25.1 points (47.1% field goal percentage), 5.6 rebounds and 8.1 assists in those nine appearances for the Southwest Division side from the Western Conference. The shoulder injury Morant is suffering from was picked up during a Memphis Grizzlies practice session last Saturday, and the returning results of his MRI showed that he has a labral tear in his right shoulder, which happens to be his shooting arm.
In an official statement released by the Memphis Grizzlies, the Western Conference team spoke about Morant’s current situation and his tentative returning date: “The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the following medical update for guard Ja Morant: At Saturday’s training session, Morant suffered a subluxation of his right shoulder. Following ongoing soreness and instability, Morant underwent an MRI that revealed an underlying labral tear. Morant will undergo season-ending surgery and is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.”
For more news on the star point guard of the Memphis Grizzlies Morant, click here.
JA MORANT CAPS THE @memgrizz 24-POINT COMEBACK WITH THE #TISSOTBUZZERBEATER!
34 points for Ja in the thrilling W.#TimeDefinesGreatness pic.twitter.com/qa3tEPQwry
— NBA (@NBA) December 20, 2023
Can the Memphis Grizzlies Still Make the NBA Playoffs without Morant?
The Memphis Grizzlies ended the 2022/2023 NBA Season with a record of 51-31, allowing them to be the second seed of the Western Conferece. Nevertheless, the Memphis Grizzlies could not replicate their Regular Season successes in the Playoffs, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in a six-game series in the first round of the knockout stage of the competition.
In the 2023/2024 Season, the Memphis Grizzlies have won only 13 games out of their 36 games in the Regular Season, and six out of those victories came when Morant was available for the team. In other words, with Morant out of the 2023/2024 Season with a shoulder issue, it is almost impossible for the Memphis Grizzlies to return to the Playoffs by the end of this year, serving a huge blow to a team that has huge ambitions in 2023/2024 after the disappointing exit last season.
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