Coach Taylor Jenkins said he anticipates Morant (thigh) being able to play in Wednesday's game versus Orlando, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Morant sat out the first leg of Memphis' back-to-back Tuesday with a thigh injury but should be good to go against the Magic. The star point guard will likely replace Tyus Jones in the starting lineup.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Officially out Tuesday
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Morant (thigh) has been ruled out against the Magic on Tuesday.
This was the expectation, as Morant was carrying a doubtful tag prior to this update. Morant's next chance to play will be Wednesday against the Clippers. Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks will likely see a bump in usage and minutes with Morant sidelined.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Doubtful Tuesday
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Morant is doubtful for Tuesday's game against the Magic due to soreness in his right thigh.
It looks like Morant will be skipping the first leg of Memphis' upcoming Tuesday-Wednesday, back-to-back set, which will presumably result in another start for Tyus Jones and more usage for Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks. Morant managers should check back closer to Tuesday's 8:00 p.m. ET tip for official word on his status.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Returns to starting lineup
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Morant contributed 27 points (9-17 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 9-11 FT), three rebounds, six assists and one steal over 29 minutes during Sunday's 123-119 win over the Hawks.
Morant moved back into the starting lineup Sunday, taking over from Tyus Jones who had certainly been an admirable fill-in. As expected, Morant took control of the game early, turning in his best performance since returning from his hiatus. The Grizzlies are showing no signs of cruising into the playoffs, meaning Morant should be locked in for big minutes ROS.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Will start, play close to 30 mins
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Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said Morant (conditioning) will start Sunday's game in Atlanta and play minutes in the high 20s, Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks' official site reports.
Morant has played off the bench in back-to-back games following his time away from the team, averaging 17.5 points and 6.5 assists in 21.5 minutes during those contests. He's set for an increased role Sunday, which should bode well for his overall fantasy potential, but he's likely still facing some limitations.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Will come off bench again
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Morant (conditioning) will come off the bench Friday against the Rockets, Evan Barnes of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Morant came off the bench during Wednesday's win over the Rockets and posted 17 points (6-13 FG), five assists, four rebounds two steals and one block in 24 minutes during his return from a nine-game absence due to a suspension and conditioning concerns. The All-Star guard figures to see similar usage in Friday's rematch against Houston, but head coach Taylor Jenkins hasn't made a decision on whether or not the point guard will return to the starting lineup Sunday in Atlanta.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Returns with solid line off bench
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Morant (suspension/conditioning) supplied 17 points (6-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-6 FT), five assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block across 24 minutes during Wednesday's 130-125 victory over the Rockets.
Though Morant wasn't returning from any type of injury, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins still chose to ease the star point guard back into the mix by bringing him off the bench with a minute restriction in his return from a nine-game absence. While playing on the second unit for the first time in his career, Morant looked like his usual self. While Morant may come off the bench for another game or two while he steadily climbs back to his season-long average of 32.3 minutes, fantasy managers can activate him with confidence again.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Will come off bench Wednesday
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Morant will come off the bench in his return for Wednesday's game versus the Rockets, Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com reports.
Morant is likely being brought off the bench in an effort to conserve his minutes as he works on getting his conditioning back, so he's a somewhat risky target in daily fantasy leagues. Per Rob Fischer of Bally Sports Southeast, he's expected to log minutes in the low 20s to begin, but that should still be enough floor time for him to put up a useful stat line in most season-long settings. Head coach Taylor Jenkins said that Morant might come off the bench for the next few games, which could help Tyus Jones sustain some low-end value while he maintains his starting role.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Off injury report for Wednesday
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Morant (conditioning/suspension) isn't included on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game versus the Rockets.
Head coach Taylor Jenkins relayed earlier in the day Tuesday that Morant is expected back in action against the Rockets, and the injury report for the contest further confirms that outcome. However, it's worth noting that Morant suggested he's willing to come off the bench as he works on reconditioning following a multi-week absence, so his workload may be initially restricted.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Should play, may come off bench
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Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said Tuesday that he anticipates Morant (conditioning/suspension) to play in Wednesday's game against the Rockets, but the point guard has told the team he's willing to come off the bench as he works his way back to 100 percent, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports.
Morant met with the media Tuesday for the first time since his NBA-issued eight-game suspension and discussed the steps he's taken to focus on his mental health during his time away from the team. He admitted being uncomfortable on the bench during Monday's win over Dallas, but he's committed to the plan the Grizzlies have in place for him and understands it may be a process for him to get back to where he was before the Instagram Live incident. If Morant does operate off the bench for a few games, Tyus Jones would presumably remain in the starting lineup and be a must-start player after averaging 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds with 51/40/79 shooting splits over the last nine games with Morant unavailable.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Aiming to play Wednesday
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Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said he's "hopeful" Morant (conditioning) will be able to play Wednesday's game against the Rockets, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports.
Morant has completed his eight-game suspension, but he will be held out of Monday's game against the Mavericks for conditioning reasons. The point guard rejoined the team Monday, with Jenkins noting that Morant looked good in his first workout with the team in two weeks. Morant's fantasy managers can anticipate him being available for the Grizzlies' remaining three games this week, and those who scooped up Tyus Jones during Morant's absence may want to start scouring the waiver wire for alternative options. Expect Morant's status for the matchup with the Rockets to be confirmed Tuesday or following the Grizzlies' morning shootaround Wednesday.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Remains out Monday
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Morant (suspension) won't be available for Monday's game against Dallas while he works to regain conditioning, Evan Barnes of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
While Morant served the final game of his NBA-mandated suspension Saturday and is officially eligible to rejoin the team, he'll miss at least one more game as he ramps up his "return to competition reconditioning," per an official team release. The expectation all along was that Morant would need more time after the suspension, but the uncertainty around his status puts fantasy managers -- especially those in weekly lineup leagues -- in a difficult spot. Morant's return to action could come as soon as Wednesday against Houston, but for now, the Grizzlies will likely handle his status on a game-to-game basis. Tyus Jones, who has posted back-to-back double-doubles, should be looking at another start at point guard Monday.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Suspended three more games
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The NBA completed its investigation of Morant (personal) on Wednesday and has suspended him through the Grizzlies' next three games, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports. The point guard is first eligible to return Monday versus the Mavericks.
According to Charania, the league determined that the handgun Morant displayed in a March 4 Instagram Live didn't belong to him, nor was it determined to have been brought by him into a Denver nightclub and displayed by him beyond a brief period. The NBA also was unable to conclude that Morant possessed the gun while traveling with the team or in any NBA facility. Technically, Morant's suspension by the league is eight games, but he's retroactively serving the games he already missed without pay. While he's eligible to return Monday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN relays that date is ultimately when the point guard's ramp-up period will begin, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to actually play against Dallas. How many games Morant will miss beyond Monday is unclear, but fantasy managers may be in luck with him returning as soon as next week.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Moving closer to return
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Morant (personal) has left a counseling program in Florida and met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Wednesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Morant doesn't yet have a clear timetable to return to the court, but he's moving closer now that he's left the counseling program. The point guard still has to wait for the league's announcement of its findings in its probe into the recent incident in which he was seen brandishing a gun on Instagram Live, but that announcement is expected soon. It appears possible Morant will be back in action prior to the end of the regular season, but Tyus Jones should continue to see increased run in his absence.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Without timetable to return
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Morant (personal) recently entered a counseling program in Florida and is currently without a timeline to rejoin the Grizzles, Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim McMahon of ESPN.com reports.
Last Wednesday, the Grizzlies announced that Morant would remain away from the team for at least its next four games, and based on the report from Wojnarowski and McMahon, it's fair to expect the star point guard to be sidelined for all four of Memphis' games this week, and quite likely more to follow. At this juncture in the fantasy season, Morant is a cut candidate in redraft leagues, while his replacement in the starting five, Tyus Jones, should be rostered in every format.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Out at least four more games
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The Grizzlies announced Wednesday that Morant (suspension/personal) will remain away from the team for its next four games.
Morant's absence from the team has been extended following an incident last weekend where he brandished a gun on Instagram Live. The star guard is reportedly seeking help as part of an "ongoing healing process," according to head coach Taylor Jenkins. On a positive note for Morant, Shams Charania of The Athletic relays that the 23-year-old won't face criminal charges from the Glendale (Colo.) Police Department in connection with the incident. Tyus Jones will continue to serve as the Grizzlies' starting point guard in place of Morant, who isn't guaranteed to be available for Memphis even after the team completes its next four games. Expect another update on Morant's status to arrive before the Grizzlies travel to San Antonio for a March 17 game.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: No timetable for return
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Coach Taylor Jenkins said Sunday that Morant (suspension) doesn't have a timetable to return, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.
Morant has been suspended by Memphis for at least two games after he was seen on Instagram Live brandishing a gun early Saturday morning, but Jenkins' comments indicate that the 23-year-old could miss additional time. Jenkins said that Morant is seeking help and said that it is an "ongoing healing process." Tyus Jones will likely start for the Grizzlies while Morant is away from the team.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Suspended two games
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Morant has been suspended by the Grizzlies for the next two games, Sunday against the Clippers and Tuesday against the Lakers.
Morant was seen on Instagram Live brandishing a gun early Saturday morning, which led to an investigation by the NBA and a subsequent suspension by the team. While the point guard is away from the team, Tyus Jones should start. Fantasy managers should expect Morant to return Thursday against the Warriors.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Plays well despite loss
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Morant ended with 27 points (8-20 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 9-11 FT), four rebounds, 10 assists and two steals over 33 minutes during Friday's 113-97 loss to the Nuggets.
Morant can churn out some serious points and assists, but his output in steals lately has been a huge bonus for fantasy managers. In the past six games, Morant has a total of 11 steals to his name. He'll get a matchup against the Clippers on Sunday and could have more usage coming his way with Dillon Brooks serving a one-game suspension.
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Grizzlies' Ja Morant: Will don mask versus Denver
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Morant has a nasal fracture, but he'll be available Friday in Denver and wear a face mask, Katy Winge of Altitude Sports reports.
It's unclear when Morant suffered the injury, but it won't impact his availability. Across four contests since the All-Star break, the dynamic point guard is averaging 24.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.8 steals in 29.3 minutes per game.
