The Memphis Grizzlies are in Europe for a two-game series against the Orlando Magic beginning on Thursday, Jan. 15 in Berlin, Germany, and they haven’t escaped the trade rumors about Ja Morant while overseas.
Morant spoke to reporters in Germany for the first time since multiple reports indicated the Grizzlies were fielding trade offers for their star point guard for the first time ahead of the NBA’s trade deadline next month. He offered few specifics about his emotions, noting that he had to “live with it.”
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The increasing trade speculation further complicates Morant’s status moving forward, since he is also sidelined again by injury. He has missed the past five games with a right calf contusion and appeared in just 18 of 39 games this season. But he did travel with the team for this international showcase event. The Grizzlies and Magic are also scheduled to play on Sunday, Jan. 18 in London, England.
Here’s the latest on Morant’s injury status ahead of the NBA’s Berlin game featuring the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic on Thursday, Jan. 15:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Is Ja Morant playing today?
No. Morant has been ruled out of Thursday’s matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic in Berlin, Germany and will miss his sixth-straight game due to a right calf contusion. Morant was listed as questionable for the first three games he missed, but has been ruled out the day before the past three games.
Ja Morant injury update
Morant appeared to be trending in a positive direction in recent days. Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said there was a “chance” Morant returned to action during the trip and noted the point guard had been participating more in recent practice sessions.
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Morant told reporters on Wednesday “hopefully” when asked if he was going to play in either of the Grizzlies’ two upcoming games abroad against the Magic. A few hours later, however, he was listed as out on the team’s injury report for its Jan. 15 game.
Morant hasn’t played since Jan. 2 due to the right calf contusion.
Ja Morant stats
Morant is averaging 19 points and 7.6 assists per game this season, while shooting a career-worst 40.1% from the field and 20.8% from 3-point range.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ja Morant injury update: Is Grizzlies star playing NBA Berlin game?