Ja Morant: Grizzlies Star Point Guard to Undergo Season-Ending Shoulder Injury

The Memphis Grizzlies announced on Monday night that their star player, Ja Morant, is set to undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder, per ESPN.

The decision comes after Morant suffered a subluxation during a training session on Saturday, causing him to miss Sunday's victorious road game against the Phoenix Suns.

An MRI revealed an underlying labral tear, necessitating surgical intervention, with a full recovery expected by the start of the 2024-25 season.

The Grizzlies experienced a positive 6-3 record with Morant in the lineup, matching their win total during the 25-game suspension he served earlier in the season.

Ja Morant's suspension was a result of conduct detrimental to the league, involving the brandishing of a firearm in an Instagram Live video.

This was not the first time; a similar incident last season led to an eight-game suspension.

Morant's unfortunate situation follows Steven Adams' season-ending surgery during the preseason to repair the PCL in his right knee, sidelining the center since January of the previous year.

Ja Morant's Return and Impact on Grizzlies

Morant returned to the court after serving a 25-game suspension due to social media incidents involving guns according to Fox News.

In his first game back against the New Orleans Pelicans, he displayed his prowess with a stellar performance, scoring 34 points, including the game-winning shot.

In the nine games following his return, Morant showed remarkable statistics, averaging 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game.

However, his suspension was not solely due to the recent incident; earlier in the season, he missed eight games over an Instagram video appearing to show him holding a gun in a Denver strip club.

Morant was never charged in connection with these incidents.

Apart from the gun-related controversies, Morant is currently entangled in a legal battle arising from a fight at his residence with a then-17-year-old.

Days before the altercation, he allegedly threatened the head of security at a Memphis mall, leading to a physical confrontation.

Grizzlies' Season Prospects Diminished

Memphis enjoyed a 6-3 record in the games Ja Morant played, with the star player averaging 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.6 rebounds, CBS Sports noted.

His absence from the recent game against the Phoenix Suns due to a sore right shoulder foreshadowed the season-ending announcement.

Morant, who signed a lucrative five-year, $193 million rookie extension in 2022, had initially set the tone for the 2023-24 season.

With Ja Morant and key players Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies were poised for a second-half surge in the Western Conference standings, The Athletic reports.

However, with Morant and starting center Steven Adams both facing season-ending surgeries, the team is confronted with a challenging reality.

The playoff aspirations, already a tough proposition, seem even more distant without Morant.

Questions lingered about the team's roster depth in the wings and frontcourt, even with Morant's return.

Despite the presence of Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard, the absence of Morant leaves a significant void in the team's dynamics.

The Grizzlies, acknowledging the challenges ahead, might be better off consolidating their efforts and looking ahead to the promising prospects of the 2024-25 season.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Ja Morant Will Undergo Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery | NBA GameTime - From Bleacher Report