NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski provided a concerning update regarding Ja Morant after the guard suffered a hand injury in Game 1 of the NBA 2022-23 playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Speaking on NBA on ESPN, “First of all, let’s start with this. Memphis is going to do everything they can to hold this close to the vest between now and Wednesday night,” he said.
“It’s a competitive advantage in the playoffs to not let your opponent know who may or may not be playing. But I think certainly for Ja Morant… he talked about it yesterday, how much pain he was in, leaving the game. It was already a hand that was wrapped and then re-injured it. The Grizzlies know that if he doesn’t play Wednesday, they have Tyus Jones, as good as a backup point guard in the league.
“There’s “significant doubt” Ja Morant will be available for Game 2,” Wojnarowski added.
.@wojespn says there's "significant doubt" Ja Morant will be available for Game 2: pic.twitter.com/gWtDPgpOyJ
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 17, 2023
Soon after the game, Morant’s update on his condition didn’t sound promising. Per Tim MacMahon,
“Ja Morant says his status for Game 2 is ‘in jeopardy.’ He was downtrodden and not even able to use his right hand to undo a balled-up pair of socks,” the insider said. “Feels like it’s one thing after another.”
On the season front, it was a great run for Morant, averaging 26.2 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.9 rebounds. Against the Lakers, he was holding steady with 18 points and 6 rebounds in 30 minutes before the injury ruled him out of the game.
Ja Morant Is Reportedly Still Struggling Mentally
It has been a tumultuous 2023 so far for Morant. His off-the-floor controversies were the subject of discussion league-wide, and it appears that he’s still going through the struggle.
“The way Morant was leaning in his locker,” The Athletic detailed. “The look he shared with teammates as they walked past. The frustration in his voice as he spoke with someone on the phone. The bothered, unsettled breaths he took as part of his meditation practice to cope with stress.
“Morant was suggesting Sunday he was dealing with dual crises of the body and mind. ‘It’s very tough, stressful,'” Morant said. “‘Obviously, I feel like you guys can tell my body language and stuff now. Pretty much taking what happened, I don’t know, I’m numb to everything right now. It’s like, I’m not even surprised. It’s one thing after another.’”
All isn’t over for the guard and the Grizzlies just yet. They still have six games to make a difference and move forward to the second round. But with Morant’s injury threatening to derail their campaign, only time will tell if he and the side can stage a comeback.
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