Ja Morant to Miss At Least Three Weeks with UCL Sprain as Trade Rumors Swirl
The Memphis Grizzlies are facing another major hurdle in a season that’s already been full of them. Star point guard Ja Morant will be sidelined for at least the next three weeks with a UCL sprain in his left elbow, the team announced Saturday morning. It's a tough blow for a team trying to find its footing in a crowded Western Conference - and for a player whose future in Memphis suddenly feels more uncertain than ever.
Morant suffered the injury during Wednesday night’s game against the Hawks while making a defensive play - a chase-down block attempt that saw him hit his arm on the backboard. Initially, he downplayed the severity of the injury postgame, suggesting it wasn’t anything serious. But by Friday, he was ruled out against the Pelicans, and now the timeline has shifted significantly.
Video of the moment shows Morant clearly favoring his left arm afterward, even as he tried to stay in the flow of the game. He was seen talking with coach Darko Rajaković before attempting to inbound the ball - a small moment that now looms larger in hindsight.
This latest injury adds to what’s been a frustrating and fragmented season for the 24-year-old. Morant has suited up for just 20 of Memphis’ 43 games so far, battling through multiple injuries that have kept him from finding any real rhythm. When he has played, he’s still been dynamic - averaging 19.5 points and 8.1 assists per game - but the stop-and-start nature of his season has made it hard for the Grizzlies to build consistent momentum.
And now, there’s a new wrinkle: the trade rumors.
For the first time since he was drafted No. 2 overall in 2019, the Grizzlies are reportedly open to the idea of moving Morant. With the NBA Trade Deadline set for February 5, the clock is ticking. If a deal happens before then, it would mean Morant has already played his final game in a Memphis uniform.
That’s a staggering thought when you consider what Morant has meant to this franchise. From the moment he arrived, he injected life into the Grizzlies - a fearless, high-flying point guard who made Memphis basketball must-watch again. He’s a two-time All-Star, a face of the franchise, and the centerpiece of a team that not long ago looked like a rising power in the West.
But injuries, off-court issues, and now the elbow sprain have clouded what should have been a defining season for both Morant and the Grizzlies. The front office is clearly evaluating its options, and with Morant out for at least the next three weeks, they’ll have to do so without him on the court.
Whether this is a temporary setback or the beginning of a major shift in Memphis remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: the next few weeks could shape the future of both Ja Morant and the Grizzlies in a big way.