Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant will be done for the rest of the 2023-24 season after he undergoes surgery for a torn labrum in his shoulder. Morant was suspended for the first 25 games of the season before making a return to try and boost the Grizzlies, but this shoulder injury will officially conclude what was a lost season for him and Memphis to begin with.
Grizzlies’ Ja Morant will undergo season-ending surgery for a labrum tear in shoulder.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 9, 2024
It’s a rough way for this campaign to end for Morant, who was averaging 25.1 points, 8.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game since coming back to the floor. The Grizzlies won their first four games with Morant back, and have won six of the nine games the point guard has played in. They are 4.5 games back of the 10th spot in the West, which would be the final play-in spot.
The Grizzlies will now once again turn to Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. to lead this team. Memphis has dealt with so many injuries this season that Morant going down just seems like a bad but predictable omen. Hopefully, the point guard can stay out of trouble while he’s sidelined and be ready to go for the 2024-25 season.