Ja Morant has played two straight games for the Memphis Grizzlies following his latest injury layoff. The 26-year-old missed six consecutive contests earlier this month due to a calf injury, but he has looked great in his return.
In Wednesday’s 124-122 loss against the Atlanta Hawks, Morant produced a 23-point, 12-assist double-double with one rebound, a steal and three blocks. This followed his 24-point, 13-assist performance on Sunday in their 126-109 win over the Orlando Magic.
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The Grizzlies return to action on Friday in a home matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. The bad news for Memphis is that Morant will be out again.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12)© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
Morant has been in and out of the lineup for the Grizzlies throughout the season. The 6-foot-2 guard has been heavily linked to a move away from Memphis ahead of the February trade deadline. Morant previously declared that he no longer found joy playing for the Grizzlies.
Morant is now dealing with another injury. This time around, it’s a left elbow sprain for the two-time All-Star. The Grizzlies announced that Morant will not play against the Pelicans on Friday.
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Morant looked fine against the Hawks, so it is currently unclear when he sustained the elbow sprain.
The Grizzlies are being very cautious with the health of the former Rookie of the Year as they seek an amenable trade deal. It was previously reported that Memphis is now entertaining trade offers for Morant. At this point, it would not make sense for them to risk a significant injury that would impact his market value.
As of writing, the Grizzlies are 11th in the Western Conference with an 18-24 record.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.