Memphis Grizzlies: Injury toll on Ja Morant becoming a factor in playoffs vs Wolves

Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant has done his best to impose his will in the first-round playoff series vs the Minnesota Timberwolves, but something has been off.

Grizzlies fans have sensed that something has been off with the All-Star point guard throughout the series that’s currently tied at 2-2.

Whenever Morant leaves the bench he gingerly walks to the score table or onto the court. He’s been struck by knees and legs during pick-and-roll exchanges and pushed to the ground by several members of the Timberwolves— some flagrant fouls, some common fouls.

Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Ja Morant playing through injuries?

After a one-point Game 4 loss at Minnesota, Morant revealed in post-game comments what we’ve all suspected: he’s banged up.

“I can be honest right now. I’m not Ja right now,” the NBA’s most electrifying talent said during his post-game media availability.

“I’ve seen y’all’s tweets. Y’all know what I’m talking about. I’m not playing above the rim,” he said.

Morant scored just 11 points in the Game 4 loss April 23, it’s the fewest points his scored in a game since Nov. 20 against— you guessed it— Minnesota (11 points).

Excluding game 1 in which he exploded for 32 points, Morant has failed to get past the 23-point mark in Games 2-4.

The Murray State product has committed 15 turnovers in this series and been called for 13 personal fouls.

Morant recorded 20 free-throw attempts in Game 1, but since then has earned just 17 total trips to the line since.

Morant says he’s “almost there,” in terms of being 100% healthy. But, time is quickly running out. Memphis will have just three chances to win two games in order to move on to the next round.

Morant thrives in the paint and has been unable to use his explosiveness to blow by defenders and finish above the rim for much of the series.

If Morant is able to kick it into another gear, he needs to do it now.

The Grizzlies will face the Wolves in Memphis for Game 5 on April 26 at 6:30 PM CT. The Grizzlies will then return to Minnesota for Game 6. Game 7 will be played in Memphis, if necessary.