Morant sidelined against the Pelicans amidst trade speculation. An elbow injury complicates his availability and potential deal discussions.
The Memphis Grizzlies are navigating a familiar crossroads with Ja Morant, only this time the stakes are compounded by health questions emerging days before the NBA trade deadline.
Ja Morant appeared on Memphis’ injury report Thursday with a sprain to the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, an ailment that will sideline him for at least Friday’s home game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Grizzlies are scheduled to play again Sunday against the Denver Nuggets, leaving Morant’s short-term availability unresolved as the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches.
The injury surfaced amid heightened league-wide attention on Morant’s future. Memphis has been listening to offers for the two-time All-Star, a notable shift for a franchise that has previously treated him as untouchable. While there is no indication a deal is imminent, Morant’s health now becomes an unavoidable variable in any discussions.
The elbow issue occurred Wednesday night during Memphis’ loss to the Atlanta Hawks, when Morant collided with the backboard while attempting a chase-down block. He remained in the game but was visibly favoring his left arm in the moments that followed, drawing immediate concern from the bench and medical staff.
Following the game, Morant downplayed the severity of the injury when addressing reporters, framing it as a momentary issue rather than something lingering.
He explained that the contact produced a brief jolt, likening it to hitting his funny bone.
“It was just like a little sting, funny bone,” Morant said. “I was good though.”
That reassurance, however, has not prevented Memphis from taking a cautious approach. The UCL designation raises natural questions given Morant’s reliance on explosive movements, finishing through contact, and aggressive passing angles. Even a minor elbow issue can affect shooting rhythm and ball control, especially for a guard who plays at high velocity.
The timing is particularly challenging considering Morant had just returned from another setback. Earlier this month, he missed six games with a right calf contusion and had only appeared in two contests since that absence. Wednesday marked just his second game back before the elbow injury sent him back to the injury report.
In those two appearances, Morant looked productive despite limited continuity. Against Atlanta, he posted a team-high 23 points and 12 assists, continuing a pattern of strong individual output even as Memphis has struggled to stabilize its rotation. He recorded at least 20 points and 10 assists in both games since returning from the calf injury.
For the season, Morant has played in 20 of Memphis’ 42 games. The Grizzlies are 7-13 in those appearances and sit at 18-24 overall, currently 11th in the Western Conference. His averages—19.5 points, 8.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds—reflect solid production but also underscore the stop-and-start nature of his campaign.
Beyond the immediate injury implications, Morant’s situation carries broader organizational weight. This is the first time in his seven seasons that Memphis has openly explored trade conversations involving its franchise guard. Morant has largely avoided public commentary on the rumors, though he recently pointed to his longstanding commitment to the team, including a Grizzlies logo tattoo, when asked about his connection to the organization.
Whether the elbow sprain proves minor or lingers into the deadline window could shape how aggressively teams engage Memphis over the next two weeks. For now, the Grizzlies are left balancing medical caution with competitive urgency, while Morant’s status remains one of the league’s most closely watched storylines as February approaches.