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Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is officially "week-to-week" with a strained hip, the team confirmed in a statement on Saturday. The injury occurred during the third quarter of the Grizzlies' game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA) on November 6.
Injury details: Morant's fall leads to hip strain
The incident unfolded when Morant attempted to catch a lob pass, only to be destabilized midair by Lakers player Christian Koloko. This caused Morant to fall awkwardly into a severe right hip flexion. Imaging after the game revealed a posterior hip subluxation (without dislocation), along with several Grade 1 pelvic muscle strains.
The Grizzlies’ statement provided further details, explaining that Morant's fall resulted in the hip strain, which came after he was undercut while attempting the dunk.
Despite the collision, no foul was called on the play. Morant managed to finish the game, but he was noticeably slowed by the injury and was seen asking assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo to come out of the game.
Frustration over fouling: Morant speaks out
After the game, Morant expressed frustration with the Lakers' defensive tactics. "Fouling," he said, speaking to reporters via Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "We speak on that. Fouling. That's why I didn't play the rest of the game. Fouling. Let's talk about it."
Despite the injury, Morant played through the discomfort, finishing with 20 points, five assists, and four rebounds. However, his struggles were evident, and he did not return for the remainder of the game.
Grizzlies' road ahead and Morant's recovery
Ja Morant was notably absent from the Grizzlies' 128-104 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday, where he was seen using crutches to support his injured hip. The team has confirmed that Morant will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis, and his status for upcoming games remains uncertain.
The Grizzlies are set to begin a three-game road trip starting Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Morant's struggles with injuries this season
Morant has already had a challenging start to the 2024-2025 season, with the hip strain adding to a series of earlier injuries. He sprained his ankle during the preseason and missed a regular season game due to soreness in his right thigh. Despite these setbacks, the star guard has been playing at a high level, averaging 20.6 points and 9.1 assists per game through the first eight games of the season.
The Grizzlies are hopeful that Morant will be able to recover quickly and rejoin the team as soon as possible. In the meantime, Memphis will rely on other key players to step up during his absence. Morant's injury marks yet another challenge for the young star, but fans are optimistic that he’ll bounce back stronger after the team’s evaluation of his recovery.
