Morant's comeback hit another snag. A late ankle twist overshadows a dominant Grizzlies win, raising fresh injury concerns for their star.
Ja Morant’s long-awaited return to the floor was interrupted once more Monday night, this time by a late ankle injury that cast a shadow over an otherwise decisive Memphis Grizzlies victory.
Morant left the Grizzlies’ 121-103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome after appearing to twist his ankle while driving to the basket late in the fourth quarter. He did not return to the game, exiting with visible discomfort as Memphis closed out its third win over the Clippers in less than three weeks.
The injury occurred with 3:44 remaining, when Memphis already held a commanding 116-93 lead. Morant stepped on the foot of a Clippers player while attacking the lane and immediately began hobbling before heading to the locker room.
The setback came in just Morant’s second game back after missing 10 contests with a left calf injury. He finished the night with 12 points and four assists in 21 minutes, matching his scoring total from earlier in the game before his exit.
Morant’s availability has been closely monitored throughout the season. He missed the entire preseason slate while dealing with a left ankle sprain and has worn ankle braces since returning to game action. The late-game injury adds another layer of uncertainty to a season already marked by stops and starts for the Grizzlies’ franchise guard.
Despite Morant’s exit, Memphis controlled the final minutes and extended a run that began earlier in the second half. The Clippers briefly led 64-63 after a Kawhi Leonard 3-pointer midway through the third quarter, but the Grizzlies responded with a decisive 9-0 surge that flipped the game. Memphis carried a 90-76 advantage into the fourth quarter and never allowed Los Angeles to mount a serious challenge.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the way with 31 points, pouring in 21 before halftime as Memphis built early momentum. Jackson’s performance marked his first 20-point outing in six games, a stretch during which he had averaged 10.2 points while shooting 42.6% from the floor. He was highly efficient Monday, finishing 13 of 18 from the field.
Cam Spencer provided a major lift from the perimeter, scoring a career-high 27 points. Spencer drilled four 3-pointers in a span of less than six minutes in the fourth quarter and finished 7 of 10 from beyond the arc, helping Memphis put the game out of reach.
Jaylen Wells added 16 points, while rookie Cedric Coward chipped in 12 as the Grizzlies continued to find contributions across the rotation. Santi Aldama made his second straight start at center with Zach Edey sidelined by a left ankle injury, though Aldama was limited to three points and two rebounds.
For the Clippers, Leonard scored 21 points and Kris Dunn added 17 as Los Angeles dropped its eighth consecutive home game. James Harden was held to 13 points, while John Collins and Jordan Miller finished with 10 apiece. The loss marked the Clippers’ 12th in their last 14 games, with their last home victory coming Oct. 31.
Memphis will now await further clarity on Morant’s status as it prepares to visit Minnesota on Wednesday night. With the Grizzlies already navigating multiple injuries in the frontcourt, Morant’s health once again becomes central to their short-term outlook — and a reminder of how fragile their momentum remains when their centerpiece is unavailable.