NBA eyes London, hoping electrifying star Ja Morant overcomes calf issue for Sunday's showcase game.
Ja Morant’s name carried across Europe this week even as the Memphis Grizzlies guard remained in street clothes, leaving the NBA hopeful that its overseas showcase will still feature one of its most recognizable stars before the weekend ends.
The league is optimistic Morant could play Sunday in London, when the Grizzlies and Orlando Magic conclude their two-game NBA Europe series. Morant missed Thursday’s opener in Berlin with a right calf issue, watching from the sideline after traveling overseas with the team but never being cleared to suit up.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the disappointment of not having Morant on the floor in Berlin while stressing that the league remains encouraged by the possibility of his return for the second game of the trip.
Silver spoke Thursday following the opener, noting Morant’s international popularity and the significance of his presence for fans attending the London game.
“I know he has a tremendous following globally,” Silver said. “And I wish he were able to play tonight. I’m still holding out hope he’ll be able to play when we’re in London on Sunday. So, yes, I’m disappointed he’s not on the floor tonight, but I understand he’s injured.”
Morant’s absence Thursday was expected. Under league policy, teams generally release injury reports a day in advance, and Memphis had already ruled him out before the Grizzlies took the floor in Berlin. That timing places Saturday as the next key checkpoint, when Memphis is most likely to provide clarity on whether Morant will be available for Sunday’s game.
While the focus publicly has been on Morant’s calf, his status comes at a moment when broader questions surround the Grizzlies. Memphis entered the Europe series with a 17-22 record, sitting 10th in the Western Conference and seven games back of sixth place, the final spot that guarantees a playoff berth without the play-in tournament. The uneven season has fueled ongoing leaguewide speculation about the team’s direction and the long-term outlook of its roster.
Those questions followed Morant into the week. On Wednesday, he was asked directly about trade rumors and his future in Memphis, choosing not to engage with the topic and declining to offer insight beyond the immediate task at hand.
The timing underscores how closely Morant’s health and availability are tied to the Grizzlies’ fortunes. He is earning approximately $39.4 million this season and is in the third year of a five-year, $197.2 million contract, a financial commitment that reflects both his production and his role as the face of the franchise.
On the court, Morant is averaging 19 points and 7.6 assists per game this season. His career averages stand at 22.4 points and 7.4 assists, numbers that have helped establish him as one of the league’s most electric guards and a central figure in the NBA’s efforts to grow its audience internationally.
That global appeal is a major reason Morant’s availability matters beyond Memphis. The NBA’s European games are designed to place star players in front of fans who rarely have the opportunity to see them live. Morant’s presence in London would be a centerpiece of that mission, particularly for a league eager to deepen its footprint overseas.
For now, the situation remains unresolved. Morant stayed involved with teammates in Berlin but never tested the calf issue in game action. Memphis has not indicated whether he has returned to full basketball activities, leaving the final decision dependent on how the injury responds over the coming days.
Whether Morant ultimately plays Sunday or not, his absence has already shaped the narrative of the NBA’s European trip. What was planned as a showcase of star power has instead highlighted the fragility of health, the weight of expectations on marquee players, and the uncertainty facing a team still searching for traction as the season moves toward its midpoint.