With 2:43 left to play in the second quarter of the Grizzlies game against the Brooklyn Nets in Memphis, Ja Morant was forced to leave the game with an apparent injury.
In an attempt to contest a shot by Brooklyn's guard Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, the reigning Rookie of the Year appeared to land on his foot, turning his ankle. He was taken back to the locker room in a wheelchair.
Later, the team announced that the superstar guard would be out for the remainder of the game.
.@memgrizz injury report: Ja Morant (left ankle sprain) will not return.
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) December 29, 2020
Morant returned to the Grizzlies bench shortly after, wearing a boot on his left foot.
Ja Morant has returned to the Grizzlies bench and is wearing a boot on his left foot.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) December 29, 2020
Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, X-rays revealed no fracture in Morant's ankle, however, the team will await the results of an MRI.
X-Rays on Memphis guard Ja Morant's left ankle reveal no fracture, sources tell ESPN. Team will await results of an MRI as soon as Tuesday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 29, 2020
At the time of his exit, Grizzlies led 51-45 against a Nets squad that had suited up without Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Spencer Dinwiddie. As he left the game, Morant had recorded seven points, three assists, and two rebounds in 13 minutes of action.
Despite Morant's absence from the second half, the Grizzlies held on to win 116-111 in overtime, led by 28 points from Kyle Anderson and 24 points from Dillon Brooks.
Stick with NBA.com for the latest update on Morant's injury.
Although the Grizzlies have started the season 0-2, Morant has been off to a scorching start. Through two games, he has averaged 36.0 points and 8.0 assists on 58.3% shooting from the field.
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