Ja Morant will be reevaluated in two weeks after suffering a Grade 1 right calf strain.
The injury comes after Morant was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team.
Morant is currently averaging career lows in several statistical categories, including field goal percentage.
The Grizzlies are dealing with multiple injuries at the point guard position, complicating their depth.
Ja Morant’s already tumultuous start to the NBA season just became a little more complicated.
The Memphis Grizzlies announced Monday, Nov. 17 that Morant suffered a Grade 1 right calf strain and said he would be reevaluated in two weeks. This comes after Morant has clashed with the Grizzlies coaching staff, ultimately resulting in a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
It started when Morant was short with reporters following a 117-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Friday, Oct. 31. During that session, Morant told reporters to ‘go ask the coaching staff’ when questioned about his performance.
Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo reportedly challenged Morant’s leadership and asked him to respond better to adversity. Morant reportedly bristled at that, and criticized Iisalo’s substitution patterns.
Here’s everything you need to know about Ja Morant’s injury:
Ja Morant injury update
Morant suffered the injury midway through the first quarter of Memphis’ game against the Cavaliers, Saturday, Nov. 15. He appeared to suffer a tweak during the game, favoring the injured calf and limping very subtly. When he went to run, he didn’t do so at full speed and his gait seemed impaired.
Then, during a stoppage in play when teammate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope went to shoot free throws with 6:01 left to play in the period, Morant signaled to the bench and removed himself from the game. He went straight into the locker room and did not return.
The injury was described during the game as calf soreness.
Morant had sat out the team’s prior game, against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, Nov. 12, with a right ankle issue.
Who is Ja Morant’s backup on Grizzlies depth chart?
The Grizzlies already lacked depth at point guard, and this certainly complicates matters. Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe), Ty Jerome (calf) and Javon Small (toe) are all players who can fill in at the position, and all are missing time with their ailments.
During the Cavaliers game, guard Vince Williams Jr. replaced Morant, and he and Cam Spencer figure to get most of the minutes at point guard while Morant and his teammates are on the mend.
Memphis also recently signed rookie guard Jahmai Mashack to a two-way contract to provide more depth.
Ja Morant stats
Morant, 26, is averaging career lows in minutes per game (28.8), field goal percentage (35.9%), 3-point percentage (16.7%) and rebounds per game (3.5). His 17.9 points per game are just a fraction off of his career low total from his rookie season (17.8).
What does this mean for Ja Morant?
This comes as another frustration for Morant, who has struggled to take off this year. The suspension and clash with the coaching staff has led to speculation that the Grizzlies could consider moving Morant in a trade, though his availability and off-court conduct has cratered his value.
When healthy and engaged, Morant remains one of the more dynamic athletes in the NBA.
This injury, however, could complicate any potential personnel moves Memphis may be planning. For one, calf strains are tricky injuries that may be precursors to Achilles ruptures, a USA TODAY Sports analysis found out. So it makes sense for teams to be more cautious with players suffering these injuries.
The trade deadline, though, is Thursday, Feb. 5, so there’s ample time for Morant to heal. Still, for the 4-10 Grizzlies, this is yet another injury that slows the team’s development.