Ja Morant’s Latest Setback: How Will the Grizzlies Survive Without Their Star?

The Memphis Grizzlies find themselves in an unwelcome predicament as the curtain rises on the new season. Key figures like Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey, and Brandon Clarke—pillars in the frontcourt and the crucial first man off the bench—are sidelined, nursing surgeries that knock them out of action for the start. And just when you think the injury bug might have passed, Ja Morant, their electrifying All-Star guard, twists his ankle during practice and faces a week-to-week recovery. That means he’ll miss the opener on October 6, with the team’s actual season debut slated for October 22 against New Orleans. Morant’s injury woes aren’t unfamiliar to Grizzlies fans; he’s battled through missed games and setbacks over recent years, limiting his on-court presence and impact. Memphis, navigating a notoriously tough Western Conference where even solid teams risk falling short of the postseason, can’t afford to stumble out of the gate. These early losses might just tip the scales against their playoff aspirations. LEARN MORE

Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey, and Brandon Clarke — the starting four and five for the Memphis Grizzlies as well as the first big off the bench — are all expected to miss the start of the season as they recover from surgeries.

Now add Ja Morant to the list of the injured. The All-Star guard is week-to-week after spraining his ankle Sunday at practice, the team announced. He will not play in the Grizzlies’ season opener (Oct. 6). The team opens the season Oct. 22 against New Orleans.

Injuries and suspensions have slowed Morant in the past few seasons. Last season, he played in 50 games, averaging 23.2 points and 7.3 assists per game. The season before that he played in just nine games. He has played in 65+ games just once, his rookie season.

Memphis can ill afford to get off to a slow start in a deep Western Conference where some good teams will be forced into the play-in, if not miss the postseason entirely. These injuries do not help that cause.