When Ja Morant finally returned to the court after serving a 25-game suspension due to a recent gun-related incident, he was the driving force for the Grizzlies, leading them to an impressive streak.
Then, last night, the Memphis Grizzlies announced that the star point guard will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Morant suffered the injury during the team’s win over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.
Morant underwent an MRI on Sunday that confirmed the diagnosis. He will have surgery on Tuesday and is expected to be out for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.
“This is a tough injury for Ja, and for our team,” Grizzlies president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman said in a statement. “Ja has given his heart and soul to this team, and he has been an incredible leader and teammate. We’re committed to supporting him through this process and helping him get back on the court as soon as possible.”
Morant’s season will end with just nine games played and averages of 25.1 points, 8.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds.
The loss of Ja Morant is a major blow to the Grizzlies, as he is one of the most dynamic players in the NBA. The team will likely struggle to maintain its current level of success without him.
