Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant managed to avoid long-term injury after sustaining an ankle sprain on Monday, but he will still miss an extended period of time.
The Grizzlies announced Tuesday Morant would be out at least three to five weeks with a Grade 2 ankle sprain.
The @memgrizz today announced the following injury update on Ja Morant: pic.twitter.com/VxXfzaKy3M
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) December 29, 2020
Ja Morant landed awkwardly after contesting a jumper from Brooklyn Nets swingman Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, appearing to roll on his foot.
The 2019-20 Rookie of the Year was in immediate pain as soon as he landed, hobbling off the floor and falling to the ground in a heap. He was later wheeled to the locker room in a wheelchair before returning to the Grizzlies' bench wearing a boot.
Fortunately, the initial testing determined Morant had avoided anything overly serious. Still, the former Murray State star will have to sit down for a bit to let the ankle heal.
This is a rough early setback for Morant, who is hoping to improve on a sensational rookie campaign in which he nearly led the Grizzlies to an unlikely playoff berth.
The 21-year-old got to a tremendous start to the year, exploding for 44 points in the season opener before scoring 28 in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. Morant played just under 13 minutes before exiting Monday's game with the ankle injury.
Memphis will be hard-pressed to keep pace in the Western Conference, though the Grizzlies managed to earn their first win over the Nets without Morant on the floor for the remainder of the contest.
Still, it will be an uphill climb without Morant in these next several weeks.
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