Grizzlies Receive Major Ja Morant Injury Update Ahead Of Game 4

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Ishaan Bhattacharya | Last updated Apr 25, 2025 3:50 PM ET

The Memphis Grizzlies saw Ja Morant exit Game 3 of their first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, prompting a historic collapse. Without Morant on the court, the Grizzlies were outscored 63-31 in the second half and lost the game 114-108.

A mid-air collision with Thunder defender Lu Dort caused Morant's injury, as the Grizzlies guard had to watch his team have one of the worst Playoff meltdowns in NBA history. The Thunder are up 3-0 and already virtually guaranteed a spot in the second round.

With Morant's status unclear after the end of Game 3, a confirmation on his future in this series has come. ESPN's Shams Charania is reporting that Morant will miss the game against OKC with a hip injury suffered from the fall.

"Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant will miss Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday due to a hip injury, sources tell ESPN. Morant played through a significant ankle sprain to clinch a playoff spot last week, then suffered a scary fall on his hip Thursday."

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant will miss Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday due to a hip injury, sources tell ESPN. Morant played through a significant ankle sprain to clinch a playoff spot last week, then suffered a scary fall on his hip Thursday. pic.twitter.com/8i74mDuz08
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 25, 2025

With the Thunder needing just one win to eliminate the Grizzlies, it seems unlikely that Memphis forces a Game 5.

The Thunder will hope to dispatch of the Grizzlies as Morant will have to watch from the sidelines as another Playoff run ends in the early rounds.

Morant averaged 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists over the season, numbers which couldn't generate any real All-Star buzz for him.

He's averaged 18.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists against the Thunder's vaunted defense in the Playoffs, but it hasn't resulted in any wins. Instead of risking long-term damage, the Grizzlies likely don't care about risking Morant and would rather have him rest than try to overcome a 0-3 deficit while with a sprained ankle and a hip injury.

The Grizzlies enjoyed a 29-point lead in Game 3 before Morant's injury, something they blew instantly after he fouled out. Now with Morant out, we might be one loss away from a summer of changes in Memphis.

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

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