Products You May Like
The Grizzlies enter a crucial stretch of the season without their superstar guard.
Ja Morant, who is coming off of his second All-Star appearance, will be away from the team for an indefinite amount of time. Without Morant, Memphis will try to maintain its hold on the Western Conference’s second seed.
How long will Morant be out? Here is what we know about the timeline of his potential return to the Grizzlies lineup.
SIGN UP TO WATCH EVERY GAME ON NBA LEAGUE PASS: U.S. and U.K. | All other countries
Why is Ja Morant not playing?
On Saturday, March 4, the Grizzlies announced that Morant “will be away from the team for at least two games.”
Statement from the Memphis Grizzlies pic.twitter.com/CLB2TG5nnI
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) March 4, 2023
The team statement came after Morant was seen displaying a gun on his Instagram Live at a nightclub early on the morning of Saturday, March 4. In response, NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said the league is investigating the situation.
Morant issued a statement in which he took responsibility for his actions and offered an apology to the franchise, his family and the city of Memphis among others.
How long will Ja Morant be out?
Morant’s absence is not technically a suspension and, per the team, will be for at least two games.
In Morant’s statement, he shared that he is “going to take some time away to get help and work on better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being.”
Based on the language in statements from the Grizzlies and Morant, his absence could be tied to days and not games.
However, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins addressed the media ahead of their game against the LA Clippers Sunday night, indicating there is no clear timetable for Morant’s return.
“We have said that it’s going to be at least these two games,” Jenkins said. “I mean, this is going be an ongoing healing process… It’s really not a timetable situation.”
“This is going to be an ongoing healing process. … It’s really not a timetable situation.”
Taylor Jenkins on Ja Morant’s return
(via @MarkG_Medina)pic.twitter.com/a3L9M7qhVU
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 6, 2023
As the season winds down, Memphis’ hold on the West’s No. 2 seed is dwindling. The Grizzlies are set to embark upon a tough stretch of games against teams that are also battling for positioning in the Western Conference.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National |
| March 5 | at Clippers | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| March 7 | at Lakers | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| March 9 | vs. Warriors | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| March 11 | vs. Mavericks | 8 p.m. | — |
| March 13 | at Mavericks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Fans in the U.S. can watch the biggest games of the 2022-23 NBA season on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all regular season games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.
SIGN UP FOR SLING: English | Spanish
Ja Morant season stats, highlights
- 27.1 points per game
- 8.2 assists per game
- 6.0 rebounds per game
- 1.1 steals per game
- 3.4 turnovers per game
- 46.3 percent field goal shooting
- 31.6 percent 3-point field goal shooting