Memphis Star Ja Morant Sidelined Rest of Season with Elbow Injury

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant will miss the remainder of the NBA season after suffering a UCL sprain in his left elbow. The injury continues a pattern of health issues for the 26-year-old player, who has appeared in just 79 games over the past three seasons.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant will sit out the rest of the current NBA season after sustaining a UCL sprain in his left elbow, the team announced Tuesday evening.

Team officials indicated that Morant will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection to help the healing process. The organization anticipates he will be fully recovered in time for the upcoming season.

The 26-year-old Murray State product, standing 6-foot-2, has been limited to just 20 appearances this season for Memphis. His scoring average of 19.5 points per game marks his lowest output since his sophomore campaign in the league. This premature conclusion to his season extends a troubling pattern for the frequently injured point guard, who has participated in merely 79 contests across the previous three seasons.

The elbow injury occurred in late January, shortly after Morant had returned from a two-week absence due to calf discomfort.

Selected as the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, trailing only Zion Williamson, Morant quickly became a must-see attraction during his early professional years with Memphis.

The dynamic playmaker became known for spectacular dunks against towering centers and eluding defenders with spinning maneuvers. His court vision allowed him to thread passes through tight defensive schemes, while his defensive hustle resulted in memorable chase-down blocks where he would pin shots against the backboard’s upper corner.

These athletic displays and highlight-reel moments led to his Rookie of the Year award in 2020 and Most Improved Player recognition in 2022.

However, personal conduct problems and behavioral concerns that emerged in 2023 began affecting his on-court contributions for Memphis. Footage from March 2023 showing Morant displaying a firearm at a Denver nightclub resulted in an eight-game NBA suspension, despite no criminal charges being pursued.

Several months afterward, Morant appeared on a livestream again brandishing a weapon while riding as a passenger in a vehicle. Following the league’s investigation, Commissioner Adam Silver announced that Morant would begin the 2023-24 season serving a 25-game suspension.