“He’s going to be a game-time decision,” Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins said when asked about Ja Morant’s ability to play against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, April 19.
After a rocky end to the regular season, Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies got off to a less than stellar star to the postseason. Led by a 23-point performance from Austin Reaves a 29-point outing from Rui Hachimura, the Lakers downed the Grizzlies in Game One of the seven-game series. On the opposite sideline, Jaren Jackson Jr. put up 31 points, but the Grizzlies were stifled by the loss of their star point guard, Ja Morant.
With just under six minutes left in regulation, Morant drove to the basket and attacked the basket as Anthony Davis stood under it. As the two stars collided, Davis fell backward as Morant fell forward into the hardwood. Hitting the ground hard, he attempted to break his fall by putting his hands out. By doing so, he sustained a soft tissue bruise in his right hand.
Heading into Wednesday’s game, many NBA journalists are not confident that Morant will be able to return to action for Game Two.
“I do not sense a great deal of optimism around this Grizzlies team that Ja Morant will be ready to play in Game 2,” ESPN’s Adam Wojnarowski said.
Tip-off for the next game is set for April 19 at 7:30 p.m. EST in Memphis. More details will be revealed as game time nears.
