Grizzlies’ Ja Morant Announces Change on Tuesday

As Morant prepares for the 2025–26 season, injuries have continued to bother him even during the preseason. Morant suffered a left ankle sprain in early October during practice, which held him out of every preseason game for the Grizzlies. This is a bit concerning given Memphis retooled the roster in the offseason, and Morant did not get the opportunity to work on his chemistry with the newer additions to the team.

Fortunately, Morant will play on Wednesday in the regular season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. However, Morant revealed he had made a change on Tuesday in order to stay healthy by wearing ankle braces. “Ja Morant was wearing ankle braces today at practice. He said he’ll be wearing them in tomorrow’s game against the Pelicans,” reported Damichael Cole of Memphis News. Morant only injured his left ankle, yet has decided to wear the brace on both to stay extra cautious.

The Grizzlies will be relying on Morant to stay healthy immediately, just to stay competitive in the Western Conference. The backcourt depth is already being tested with offseason acquisition Ty Jerome and Scottie Pippen Jr. both set to miss extended time to begin the year. The Grizzlies are also entering their first full season under coach Tuomas Iisalo, who took over last year.

For Memphis to reach its full potential, Morant will need to prove he can stay healthy over the course of the season. His availability is critical to the team’s success, especially with a revamped roster and limited backcourt depth.

Morant frequently drives into traffic to create for his teammates, a playstyle that often results in hard landings and physical contact at the rim. While it fuels his explosiveness and playmaking, it also increases the risk of injury over time. If Morant’s injuries continue to pile up, the organization could eventually explore trade options.