Grizzlies GM Announces Ja Morant Update on Friday

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Grizzlies GM Announces Ja Morant Update on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Feb 6, 2026 1:11 PM ET

The Memphis Grizzlies entered the 2025-26 season hoping to rebound from their first round playoff exit with Ja Morant again as the focal point. Since being drafted second overall in 2019, Morant has been the team’s primary offensive catalyst and a two-time All-Star and sustained star-level production through most of his career.

However, his availability has been a consistent concern; he has never played more than 67 games in a single season and has missed significant time over the past three campaigns due to injuries and suspensions.

In November, Morant suffered a Grade 1 right calf strain in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers and was sidelined for at least two weeks as he recovered. Since then, he has also dealt with a UCL sprain in his left elbow sustained in late January that has kept him off the floor for seven straight games.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12)© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

While Morant’s season has been punctuated by stops and starts, he has still managed to average 19.5 points and 8.2 assists in the games he has played, though both his efficiency and shotmaking have lagged compared to his peak years. Despite trade rumors, with Memphis reported to be fielding offers for Morant ahead of the deadline, per ESPN’s Shams Charania, no deal materialized, and the Grizzlies retained him as the deadline passed.

After the trade deadline, Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman was asked directly whether Morant would play again this season. His response was concise and cautious: “It’s a medical determination” (via Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian).

Kleiman being pressed on if Ja will play this season.

"It's a medical determination."
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) February 6, 2026

That phrasing points to an uncertainty surrounding Morant’s recovery timeline as he continues to rehab his elbow and manage the cumulative effects of a season already interrupted by injury.

Memphis has been dismantling its core that made the playoffs in 2022-23. The team traded All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz in a blockbuster deal that brought back draft capital and young assets, and earlier dealt Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic before the start of the season.

Morant remains under contract through the 2027-28 season with an extension available this summer.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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