The Memphis Grizzlies are once again facing a familiar and frustrating challenge: life without Ja Morant. The star point guard will sit out the Dec. 17 matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves after suffering a left ankle sprain late in the team’s recent win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
The injury occurred in the fourth quarter, with just under four minutes to play, when Morant stepped on a Clippers player’s foot and rolled the ankle. He exited the game immediately and didn’t return. Initially listed as questionable, Morant was downgraded to doubtful on the morning of the game - a sign the Grizzlies are opting for caution with their franchise cornerstone.
Unfortunately, this isn’t new territory for Memphis or Morant. The explosive guard has already missed 12 of the team’s first 26 games this season, with injuries continuing to disrupt his rhythm and availability.
Earlier in the year, he sat out 11 games due to a left calf injury and missed one more with soreness in his right ankle. Even before the regular season tipped off, Morant was sidelined for the entire preseason - also due to a left ankle sprain.
When he's been on the floor, Morant has shown flashes of his usual brilliance, averaging 17.7 points and 7.5 assists. But the Grizzlies haven’t been able to build consistent momentum with their star in and out of the lineup. His absence forces Memphis to reshuffle the deck once again - and they’re not just missing Morant this time.
Cam Spencer, a promising young guard who’s been carving out a role in the rotation, is also unavailable due to personal reasons. That leaves the Grizzlies thin in the backcourt and looking to Vince Williams Jr. to step into the starting point guard role.
Williams Jr. has shown promise with his defensive energy and growing confidence as a playmaker, but this is a tall task - especially against a Timberwolves team that brings physicality and length on the perimeter.
With Morant and Spencer out, the Grizzlies will lean more heavily on a committee approach. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, known more for his 3-and-D prowess, may be asked to take on added ball-handling duties. And Jaren Jackson Jr., already carrying a significant load as a scorer and rim protector, could find himself initiating more offense from the high post or in transition.
This is where Memphis’ depth and versatility will be tested. The team has shown resilience in the face of adversity before, but without their floor general and a key rotation piece, the margin for error shrinks considerably.
For now, the Grizzlies will hope Morant’s latest setback is a short-term one. But as the season wears on, keeping him healthy and on the court is starting to feel like the biggest battle of all.