This NBA season isn’t going the way Ja Morant wanted.
He initially clashed in the locker room with the Memphis Grizzlies new coaching staff. Then, he clashed with Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson. He’s been the subject of constant trade rumors. He hasn’t played all that well. And he’s injured again.
Advertisement
On that last front, though, the narrative could be changing soon. After missing more than two weeks of action due to a right calf strain, Morant appears to inching closer to a return. The Grizzlies offered an encouraging update on the status of their star point guard on Thursday, Dec. 4.
Memphis went 5-3 in the eight games Morant missed since leaving their Nov. 15 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter. The team is 5-5 overall this season when Morant doesn’t play.
Here’s the latest on Morant’s injury situation and whether he’s slated to return to the court when the Grizzlies host the Los Angeles Clippers at FedEx Forum on Friday, Dec. 5:
1 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
1 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
2 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Washington Wizards’ Cam Whitmore dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena.
3 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.
4 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 25: The Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns’ Grayson Allen at Ball Arena.
5 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 24: The Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. dunks against the Miami Heat at FedExForum.
6 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 24: The Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo dunks over the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. at FedExForum.
7 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 22: The New York Knicks’ OG Anunoby goes up for a reverse dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.
8 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 22: The Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers at Delta Center.
Is Ja Morant playing today?
No, Morant was listed as out on the Grizzlies injury report for the ninth consecutive game after suffering a right calf strain in a Nov. 15 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He will be out of the lineup when the Grizzlies host the Clippers tonight at 8 p.m. ET.
Advertisement
Ja Morant injury update
Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo told reporters in Memphis after a practice on Thursday, Dec. 4 that Morant was “day-to-day,” according to The Commercial Appeal, part of the USA TODAY Network. The team initially said it would re-evaluate the point guard after two weeks. Morant was seen shooting during the practice, and Iisalo noted he had been participating in non-full speed and non-contact drills.
“He’s already moving and able to do some things with the team, so looking positive,” Iisalo said on Thursday.
Advertisement
Ja Morant stats
Morant’s numbers are down across the board this season. He’s averaging 17.9 points, which would be his lowest scoring output since his rookie season in 2019-20, and dishing out 7.6 assists per game. Morant is also shooting a career-worst 35.9% from the field and 16.7% from 3-point range in 12 games this season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Ja Morant playing for Grizzlies today vs Clippers? Injury update