Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, center, reacts from the sideline in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (Image via AP Photo/Brandon Dill) The Memphis Grizzlies will be without Ja Morant when they face the Chicago Bulls on March 16, 2026. The guard has been ruled out with a left elbow UCL sprain and will miss another game as he continues his recovery.Morant has not played since late January because of the injury. His absence has made things difficult for Memphis during a stretch where the team has also been dealing with several other injuries across the roster.
Ja Morant’s injury report vs the Chicago Bulls (March 16, 2026)
The NBA injury report released at 5:45 PM ET confirmed Morant would not play in the 8:00 PM ET game at the United Center. Ja Morant is recovering from a sprain in the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.The injury involves a partial tear in the ligament that stabilizes the elbow. Recovery from this type of injury can take weeks or months depending on the severity. Morant had a scheduled re-evaluation in mid-March, but he was not cleared to return.Memphis has continued to hold him out while he completes his rehabilitation.
MemphisGrizzlies injury report for the Chicago Bulls game (March 16, 2026)
Memphis Grizzlies enter the game with several players unavailable. The team is missing multiple rotation pieces and will rely on available players to fill those minutes.Jahmai Mashack remains available despite playing with a nasal fracture.PlayerStatusInjury Details Ja Morant Out Left Elbow; UCL Sprain Santi Aldama Out Right Knee; Injury Management Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Out Right 5th Finger; Surgery Recovery Brandon Clarke Out Right Calf; Strain Zach Edey Out Left Ankle; Surgery Recovery Scotty Pippen Jr. Out Right Great Toe; Sesamoiditis GG Jackson Doubtful Right Foot; Soreness Ty Jerome Doubtful Left Shoulder; Contusion Walter Clayton Jr. Questionable Right Ankle; SprainJaren Jackson Jr. is expected to take on a larger role with Morant out. Cedric Coward could also see more minutes. He has averaged 13.3 points per game recently.
Chicago Bulls injury report before facing Memphis Grizzlies (March 16, 2026)
Chicago Bulls also enter the game with several players out. Zach Collins and Anfernee Simons will both miss the game while they recover from injuries.The Bulls will continue to rely on younger players to handle larger roles.PlayerStatusInjury Details Zach Collins Out Right 1st Toe; Surgery Noa Essengue Out Left Shoulder; Surgery Jaden Ivey Out Left Patellofemoral; Pain Isaac Okoro Out Right Patellofemoral; Pain Anfernee Simons Out Left Ulnar Styloid; Fracture Collin Sexton Questionable Left Fibular Head; ContusionNick Richards is listed as probable with a low back issue.
Players who could have a bigger role in the Memphis Grizzlies vs Chicago Bulls game
Memphis will rely on Jaren Jackson Jr. on defense and players such as Jaylen Wells to handle more minutes. Chicago will look for production from Matas Buzelis, who is averaging 15.9 points per game.Josh Giddey has also been shooting well recently, making 2.6 three-pointers per game.Also read: Is Cooper Flagg playing tonight vs the New Orleans Pelicans? Latest update on the Dallas Mavericks star’s injury report (March 16, 2026)With both teams missing several players, the game may come down to which group of available players performs better when the game begins at 8:00 PM ET in Chicago.