Grizzlies Star Ja Morant to Undergo Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
Memphis Grizzlies’ star guard Ja Morant is set to miss the remainder of the 2023-24 NBA season due to a significant shoulder injury. The team announced on January 8 that Morant will undergo surgery to repair a labral tear in his right shoulder, effectively ending his season.
Injury Details
The injury occurred during a training session on January 6, when Morant experienced a subluxation—partial dislocation—of his right shoulder. Following ongoing soreness and instability, an MRI revealed an underlying labral tear. The Grizzlies confirmed that the surgery is necessary to address the issue and that Morant is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Impact on the Grizzlies
Morant’s injury comes as a significant blow to the Grizzlies, who had shown signs of improvement with his return to the lineup. Prior to the injury, Morant had played nine games, averaging 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game. The Grizzlies posted a 6-3 record in those games, indicating a potential turnaround after a challenging start to the season.
However, without Morant, the team faces an uphill battle. The Grizzlies currently hold a 13-23 record and are 4.5 games out of the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. With the season now effectively over for Morant, the team will need to rely on other players to step up in his absence.
Morant’s Return from Suspension
This setback is particularly disheartening for Morant, who had only recently returned from a 25-game suspension. The suspension was imposed due to conduct detrimental to the league after Morant displayed a firearm on social media—a violation of NBA policies. This was his second suspension in less than a year for similar conduct, having previously missed eight games for a similar incident.
Despite the challenges, Morant had shown resilience upon his return, delivering strong performances and contributing significantly to the team’s efforts. His injury now raises questions about the Grizzlies’ future plans and how they will navigate the remainder of the season without their star player.
Looking Ahead
The Grizzlies’ front office will likely use this time to evaluate the roster and consider potential moves to bolster the team for the future. With Morant expected to recover fully, the focus will shift to building a competitive team around him for the upcoming season.
For Morant, the priority will be rehabilitation and preparation for a strong return. The Grizzlies and their fans will be eagerly awaiting his comeback, hoping that this setback will only serve to fuel his determination and drive in the seasons to come.
