Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant will miss Sunday night’s game between the top two teams in the Western Conference standings due to an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder, the team announced.
The Grizzlies did not announce a timetable for Morant’s recovery after the road game against the West-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
Morant underwent season-ending surgery in January to repair a labral tear in his right shoulder. He was cleared for basketball activities in July and averaged 21.2 points and 7.9 assists per game for the 22-10 Grizzlies.
Morant, a two-time All-Star, suffered the AC joint sprain when he crashed into a hard screen from New Orleans’ Daniel Theis during the Grizzlies’ win over the Pelicans on Friday night. The collision caused Morant to fall to the ground and was initially ruled an offensive foul, but the call was overturned via replay review after the Pelicans challenged.
Sunday marks the 13th game Morant will miss this season due to a variety of injuries, putting him at risk of not meeting the 65-game minimum required to qualify for All-NBA consideration and other major awards. The Grizzlies have finished 8-4 this season without Morant.
The Grizzlies also announced injury updates for several key reserves, guard Marcus Smart and forward Santi Aldama.
Smart has been diagnosed with a partial tear of the proximal extensor cap of his right index finger, an injury he suffered on December 21 against the Atlanta Hawks. He will be reevaluated in two weeks.
Aldama is considered week-to-week after suffering a sprained left ankle in the Dec. 26 win over the Toronto Raptors.