Ja Morant is an NBA superstar and the Memphis Grizzlies' best player despite the struggles he's endured this season. Even with the struggles he has faced shooting a career-low from the field (44.9%), he was on a streak of 10 straight games with 20+ points, including a 44-point outing his last time on the floor against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 14th.
However, that's where the problem lies as he has missed their last four games since that performance with a hamstring injury. He has only played 43 of the Grizzlies' 71 games this season due to a plethora of various injuries suffered throughout the season. Also, he hasn't played more than 67 games in any season of his career, and that was his rookie season.
Considering his first two seasons were cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Morant didn't participate in a full 82-game season schedule until his third season. When taking that into account, the most games he's played is 61 games in a season.
With 11 games remaining this season, he can only max out at 52 games played if he returns and doesn't miss another game. With the amount of games he's missed this season it begs to ask, what does his injury history look like?
Ja Morant's List of Lengthy Injuries
Grade 1 AC Joint in Right Shoulder, December 30, 2024
Ja Morant suffered a hard hit on a screen that caused him another injury to his right shoulder. He missed the Grizzlies' next five games and revealed on March 5th that he was still laboring the injury.
Right Posterior Hip Subluxation & Grade 1 Pelvic Muscle Strains, November 9, 2024
Ja Morant missed eight consecutive games after suffering a hip injury on an alley-oop dunk attempt. It was initially ruled as a hamstring injury before imaging revealed the extent of the injury.
Right Shoulder Torn Labrum, January 8, 2024
Ja's lengthiest injury of his career occurred during a workout nine games after his return from a 25-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the NBA. He missed the final 47 games of the season due to a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
Right Hand Injury, April 18, 2023
Ja Morant suffered a hand injury that caused him to miss the final 5:48 of the Grizzlies' game 1 loss in their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. He missed game 2 due to the injury before returning for the final four games of their 4-2 series loss.
Right Knee Bone Bruise, May 8, 2022
Ja Morant suffered a bone bruise late in the Grizzlies' game 3 loss in their second-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors. He missed the last three games of the series, which the Grizzlies lost 4-2.
Right Knee Soreness, March 19, 2022
Ja Morant missed eight consecutive games due to soreness in his right knee towards the end of the regular season.
Left Knee Sprain, November 26, 2021
Ja sprained his left knee which caused him to miss 12 consecutive games. This marked the most games he missed due to injury at the time.
Grade 2 Left Ankle Sprain, December 28, 2020
Ja suffered an ankle sprain that looked worse than it was at the time it occurred. After being ruled out for three to five weeks, he returned to the court after missing six games. This marked the only games he missed due to injury during his second NBA season.
Back Spasms, November 30, 2019
Ja aggravated his back and was forced to miss four consecutive games, and five of seven games overall. This marked his first career playing injury in the NBA and were the only games he missed due to injury in his rookie season.
What to make of Ja' Morant's injury history?
Ja Morant has been unlucky, especially in the last two seasons of his career when he has dialed back his aggressiveness to prevent injuries. However, he hasn't suffered an injury that would be a threat to his career and at age 25 years old, he hasn't reached the prime of his career yet. Morant's best years are still ahead no matter how the current season ends for him and the team.