{"id":554619,"date":"2026-01-23T03:30:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T03:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/554619\/"},"modified":"2026-01-23T03:30:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T03:30:23","slug":"ja-morant-out-with-elbow-sprain-as-trade-rumors-heat-up-for-grizzlies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/554619\/","title":{"rendered":"Ja Morant Out with Elbow Sprain as Trade Rumors Heat Up for Grizzlies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/tag\/ja-morant\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Ja Morant;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Ja Morant<\/a> has played two straight games for the <a href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/nba\/memphis-grizzlies\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Memphis Grizzlies;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Memphis Grizzlies<\/a> following his latest injury layoff. The 26-year-old missed six consecutive contests earlier this month due to a <a href=\"https:\/\/shopping.yahoo.com\/rdlw?merchantId=c109eac4-825f-483e-8edf-51532ca9e7cb&amp;siteId=us-y4p&amp;pageId=1p-autolink&amp;contentUuid=c18b3bf2-2b99-3b58-ac67-33c4d1ed1378&amp;featureId=text-link&amp;merchantName=National+Basketball+Association&amp;linkText=calf+injury%2C&amp;custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uYmEuY29tL25ld3MvamEtbW9yYW50LW91dC12cy1tYWdpYy1iZXJsaW4tZ2FtZS0yMDI2IiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJjMThiM2JmMi0yYjk5LTNiNTgtYWM2Ny0zM2M0ZDFlZDEzNzgiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm5iYS5jb20vbmV3cy9qYS1tb3JhbnQtb3V0LXZzLW1hZ2ljLWJlcmxpbi1nYW1lLTIwMjYifQ&amp;signature=AQAAAde43bVgF5IdzcjrTiodkHwTH8rhuxC7fItKUHyYOeyH&amp;gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nba.com%2Fnews%2Fja-morant-out-vs-magic-berlin-game-2026&amp;spaceId=2146352327\" class=\"link  rapid-with-clickid etailiffa-link\" data-i13n=\"elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:National Basketball Association;elmt:\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:calf injury,;elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:National Basketball Association;elmt:;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">calf injury,<\/a> but he has looked great in his return.<\/p>\n<p>In Wednesday\u2019s 124-122 loss against the <a href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/nba\/atlanta-hawks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Atlanta Hawks;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Atlanta Hawks<\/a>, 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/nba\/orlando-magic\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Orlando Magic;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Orlando Magic<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>The Grizzlies return to action on Friday in a home matchup against the <a href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/nba\/new-orleans-pelicans\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:New Orleans Pelicans;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">New Orleans Pelicans<\/a>. The bad news for Memphis is that Morant will be out again.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12)\u00a9 Mark J&amp;period; Rebilas-Imagn Images\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"675\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1ea11c870adab48a1eac6e4e997040f8.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12)\u00a9 Mark J&amp;period; Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p> (\u00a9 Mark J&amp;period; Rebilas-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n<p>Morant has been in and out of the lineup for the Grizzlies throughout the season. The 6-foot-2 guard has been <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/ja-morants-decision-away-memphis-002410872.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:heavily linked to a move away from Memphis;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">heavily linked to a move away from Memphis<\/a> ahead of the February trade deadline. Morant previously declared that he <a href=\"https:\/\/shopping.yahoo.com\/rdlw?merchantId=8b9dfafd-e7b1-4ac1-bb73-50d55c74d82d&amp;siteId=us-y4p&amp;pageId=1p-autolink&amp;contentUuid=c18b3bf2-2b99-3b58-ac67-33c4d1ed1378&amp;featureId=text-link&amp;merchantName=ESPN&amp;linkText=no+longer+found+joy&amp;custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5lc3BuLmNvbS9uYmEvc3RvcnkvXy9pZC80Njg0OTI4NS93aHktd2FzLWphLW1vcmFudC1zdXNwZW5kZWQtbmV4dC1mYXEtbGF0ZXN0LWdyaXp6bGllcy1kcmFtYSIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiYzE4YjNiZjItMmI5OS0zYjU4LWFjNjctMzNjNGQxZWQxMzc4Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5lc3BuLmNvbS9uYmEvc3RvcnkvXy9pZC80Njg0OTI4NS93aHktd2FzLWphLW1vcmFudC1zdXNwZW5kZWQtbmV4dC1mYXEtbGF0ZXN0LWdyaXp6bGllcy1kcmFtYSJ9&amp;signature=AQAAAVCAzFmPHC0w4697I19kmQBY8HG4qUI7Gnr0IcHiOqMi&amp;gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fnba%2Fstory%2F_%2Fid%2F46849285%2Fwhy-was-ja-morant-suspended-next-faq-latest-grizzlies-drama&amp;spaceId=2146352327\" class=\"link  rapid-with-clickid etailiffa-link\" data-i13n=\"elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:ESPN;elmt:\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:no longer found joy;elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:ESPN;elmt:;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">no longer found joy<\/a> playing for the Grizzlies.<\/p>\n<p>Morant is now dealing with another injury. This time around, it\u2019s a left elbow sprain for the two-time All-Star. The Grizzlies announced that Morant will not play against the Pelicans on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Morant looked fine against the Hawks, so it is currently unclear when he sustained the elbow sprain.<\/p>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/shopping.yahoo.com\/rdlw?merchantId=8b9dfafd-e7b1-4ac1-bb73-50d55c74d82d&amp;siteId=us-y4p&amp;pageId=1p-autolink&amp;contentUuid=c18b3bf2-2b99-3b58-ac67-33c4d1ed1378&amp;featureId=text-link&amp;merchantName=ESPN&amp;linkText=entertaining+trade+offers&amp;custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5lc3BuLmNvbS9uYmEvc3RvcnkvXy9pZC80NzU2MTY5Ny9ncml6emxpZXMtZW50ZXJ0YWluaW5nLWphLW1vcmFudC10cmFkZS1vZmZlcnMtc291cmNlcy1zYXkiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImMxOGIzYmYyLTJiOTktM2I1OC1hYzY3LTMzYzRkMWVkMTM3OCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXNwbi5jb20vbmJhL3N0b3J5L18vaWQvNDc1NjE2OTcvZ3JpenpsaWVzLWVudGVydGFpbmluZy1qYS1tb3JhbnQtdHJhZGUtb2ZmZXJzLXNvdXJjZXMtc2F5In0&amp;signature=AQAAAQDWtbjVkze1qm2zWj2DoZk0rUnFgj7-iLFEuqfqp1L_&amp;gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fnba%2Fstory%2F_%2Fid%2F47561697%2Fgrizzlies-entertaining-ja-morant-trade-offers-sources-say&amp;spaceId=2146352327\" class=\"link  rapid-with-clickid etailiffa-link\" data-i13n=\"elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:ESPN;elmt:\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:entertaining trade offers;elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:ESPN;elmt:;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">entertaining trade offers<\/a> for Morant. At this point, it would not make sense for them to risk a significant injury that would impact his market value.<\/p>\n<p>As of writing, the Grizzlies are 11th in the Western Conference with an 18-24 record. <\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/zion-williamson-cleared-play-against-230531285.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Related: Zion Williamson Injury Update Emerges Before Grizzlies Game;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Related: Zion Williamson Injury Update Emerges Before Grizzlies Game<\/a><\/p>\n<p>This story was originally published by <a href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/nba\/memphis-grizzlies\/grizzlies-announce-ja-morant-injury-update-trade-rumors\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Athlon Sports;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Athlon Sports<\/a> on Jan 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the <a href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/nba\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:NBA;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">NBA<\/a> section. Add Athlon Sports as a <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=athlonsports.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Preferred Source by clicking here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ja Morant has played two straight games for the Memphis Grizzlies following his latest injury layoff. The 26-year-old&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":554620,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[3795],"tags":[208,7,294,178,293,177,4070,6,470,76,181],"class_list":{"0":"post-554619","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-memphis-grizzlies","8":"tag-atlanta-hawks","9":"tag-basketball","10":"tag-grizzlies","11":"tag-ja-morant","12":"tag-memphis","13":"tag-memphis-grizzlies","14":"tag-memphisgrizzlies","15":"tag-nba","16":"tag-new-orleans-pelicans","17":"tag-orlando-magic","18":"tag-the-grizzlies"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/115942302310951568","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/554619","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=554619"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/554619\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/554620"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=554619"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=554619"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=554619"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}