Ja Morant injury update: Status revealed for NBA play-in game vs. Mavericks

Ja Morant will play in the Memphis Grizzlies’ play-in game against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Morant was previously a game-time decision after suffering an ankle injury on Tuesday.

Morant left the game in the third quarter, and the Grizzlies led 82-80. However, he didn’t return. Conversely, the Grizzlies ultimately fell 121-116. In turn, they now have to play another play-in game against the Mavericks. The loser’s season is over.

Morant is averaging 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game this season while shooting 45.4% from the field and 30.9% from beyond the arc. The two-time NBA All-Star received an injection to help with his ankle’s swelling on Thursday and today, per Charania.

Injuries are nothing new for Morant. The 2022 All-NBA Second Team selection only appeared in nine games last season. Morant was forced to undergo season-ending right shoulder surgery after sustaining a subluxation during team practice.

While Morant will take the court on Friday, the team will be without a familiar face. On March 28, the Grizzlies announced they were firing head coach Taylor Jenkins. The organization promoted Tuomaos Iisalo to interim head coach ahead of the playoff push.

“I’m genuinely appreciative of Taylor’s contributions to this team and this city over the past six seasons,” Grizzlies president and general manager of basketball operations Zach Kleiman said in a statement. “This was a difficult decision, given the consistent and tangible development of our players and overall success under Taylor’s leadership. I wish Taylor the very best going forward.”

Fans around the league were shocked and weren’t afraid to express their surprise on social media. They weren’t the only ones left stunned by the announcement.

“It’s tough for me. I’ve had Coach Taylor since I got here. Everything I’ve done in a Grizzlies jersey has pretty much been under him,” Ja Morant said. “It’s my first time really experiencing a coach leaving since I’ve been hooping. It was a lot to process. With the timing, it’s just tough. We had to quickly turn the page.”

Jenkins had a 464-250 overall record in Memphis before the change and took the franchise to three playoff appearances before missing out in 2024-25. Nonetheless, the Grizzlies will look to make their former coach proud and earn their way into the playoffs with a win against the Mavericks on Friday.