The Memphis Grizzlies are coming off a lost season where Ja Morant played just nine games. The 25-year-old has appeared in just 257 games in his first five NBA seasons and has dealt with something each year. He enters the 2024-25 season healthy, but there is a ton to prove.
Memphis made three straight playoff appearances before winning just 27 games in 2024. It was not just Morant. No team missed more games because of injury last season resulting in total disaster. Morant plans on leading a redemption year, but it is easier said than done.
Morant’s injury history continues to grow, so here is a look at everything that has caused the two-time All-Star to miss time in his NBA career.
Ja Morant’s NBA injury history
Shoulder surgery, January 2024
Morant suffered a labral tear during a training session, which required surgery. The 6’2 guard missed the final 47 games of the season but will be ready for training camp.
Illness, December 2023
The two-time All-Star missed one game on Dec. 28 with an illness. He was able to play the following night against the Clippers and produced a 19-point double-double.
Hand injury, 2023 playoffs
Morant injured his hand driving to the basket in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Lakers in 2023. It forced him to miss Game 2, but he returned to drop 45 points in Game 3.
Left hip, April 2023
Memphis had a top seed locked up and had no reason to push Morant to his limits. The 6’2 missed the April 5 loss to the Pelicans with a hip injury, but he was back in the lineup two days later.
Right thigh, March 2023
Morant missed just one game on the first night of a back-to-back. The soreness was a lingering issue, but it did not hold him back as he exploded for 36 points the following night against the Clippers.
Right wrist, February 2023
Ja sat out for a three-point loss to the Raptors on Feb. 5 with soreness. He was back in the lineup two nights later for a 29-point double-double.
Right thigh, January 2023
The Grizzlies star missed a back-to-back on Jan. 8 and 9 with a right thigh soreness. Memphis won both games, and Morant dropped 38 points in his return on Jan. 11.
Right thigh, December 2023
Morant sat out of a Dec. 12 win over the Hawks with thigh soreness. He returned after a one-game absence and had a triple-double in just 25.6 minutes.
Left ankle, November 2023
The 6’2 guard missed two games in one week with this injury. He sat out on Nov. 13 before returning for two contests. Morant missed a second game on Nov. 20 but exploded for 34 points in his return the second time.
Right knee, March through 2022 playoffs
Morant suffered a bone bruise in his right knee against the Warriors in the second of the playoffs in 2022. Memphis was behind 2-1 in the series before Ja missed the final three contests. This was the second stint with this knee. The 6’2 guard missed ten of the final 11 games of the regular season with right knee soreness.
Back injury, March 2022
He missed one contest with a sore back on March 15. The Grizzlies dominated the Pacers, and Morant returned for just one game before a knee injury popped up.
Left ankle, February 2022
Morant sat out just one game with ankle soreness before returning to drop 44 points on the second night of a back-to-back set.
Left thigh, January 2022
He missed one contest on the first night of a back-to-back set with thigh soreness before facing the Lakers the following night.
Left knee, November 2021
Morant had a sprained left knee that forced him to miss 12 straight games. The Grizzlies went 10-2 during that stretch but were happy to get him back.
Left ankle, December 2020
Ja missed eight straight games with a grade two ankle sprain. Memphis split the contests, but there was plenty of worry about the reigning Rookie of the Year.
Back, November 2019
He missed four straight games in December with a back injury. The Grizzlies won just one of those games, but it did not stop him from being a rookie sensation.
Ja Morant’s suspension history
The superstar has been suspended twice in his NBA career and missed 33 games. Here is a look at his history.
- 25-game ban for conduct detrimental to the league to start the 2023-24 season
- 8-game ban for conduct detrimental to the league in March 2023
Breakdown of injuries Ja Morant has suffered in his first 5 NBA seasons
Injury | # of injuries | Games missed |
|---|---|---|
Right shoulder | 1 | 47 |
Right Knee | 1 | 13 |
Left Knee | 1 | 12 |
Left ankle | 3 | 11 |
Rest | 6 | 6 |
Back | 2 | 5 |
Right thigh | 3 | 4 |
Illness | 2 | 2 |
Right hand | 1 | 1 |
Left hip | 1 | 1 |
Right wrist | 1 | 1 |
Left thigh | 1 | 1 |
The Memphis Grizzlies need Ja Morant healthy if they are going to be a serious contender in the crowded Western Conference. It has not happened in his first five seasons, but the two-time All-Star is ready to prove everyone wrong. Buckle up because this could be the best Morant yet.