Ja Morant injury: Memphis Grizzlies must put star’s long-term health at forefront of Game 4 decision

The Memphis Grizzlies have officially listed Ja Morant as “doubtful” to play in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinal matchup vs the Golden State Warriors.

The news came less than 24 hours after Morant appeared to injure his knee during a sequence fighting for a loose ball near mid-court towards the end of Game 3.

In his post-game comments, Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins questioned the actions of Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole during the sequence.

Video evidence shows Poole grabbing Morant’s knee and pulling it in an awkward motion. Now, Morant’s availability in Game 4 is looking like a long shot.

Memphis Grizzlies must consider long-term health of Morant for Game 4

As badly as the Grizzlies need to win this game and even the series at 2-2, the team must prioritize Morant’s long-term health, even if it means severely dampening the team’s chances of winning Game 4 vs the Warriors.

The team must exercise caution in this very delicate situation. The team has proven it can win without Morant in the lineup, but that was during the regular season. This is the playoffs— an entirely different ball game.

Morant is averaging 27.1 ppg, 9.8 apg, 8.0 rpg, and 2.0 spg during the 2022 NBA Playoffs (nine games). That’s a whole lot of production to replace overnight, but it’s doable.

The team will get Dillon Brooks back in Game 4, having served his one-game suspension for the fall-out from his flagrant-2 foul in Game 2.

And the team will presumably call upon Steven Adams at some point to help police the paint. He was available to contribute in Game 3, but never saw the floor until garbage time. Jenkins, after the game, called the move a “basketball” decision.

Bane has proven time and time again he can handle the team’s scoring burden. Jaren Jackson Jr. showed he’s capable of doing so after a 33-point performance in Game 1.

If Morant pushes hard to play, the team should really make the tough choice and sit him for Game 4. Putting him out there with a knee that has taken a ton of punishment this season is a risk too great to realize. It would be devastating if he hurt his knee again in Game 4.

The risk of permanent damage or severe injury is not worth one game, even if it is a pivotal playoff game. Perhaps with more rest and additional treatment, Morant could be able to compete in Game 5.