It was not the bright start Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies had expected.
Morant suffered an apparent ankle injury in the Memphis Grizzlies' 121-116 preseason win against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, October 8 (PH time).
Ja Morant guides the @memgrizz to the #NBAPreseason win!
— NBA (@NBA) October 8, 2024
Brandon Clarke: 17 PTS, 4 AST
Jake LaRavia: 14 PTS, 6 REB pic.twitter.com/AS1QNaNYdG
The high-flying superstar finished with 13 points, four rebounds and three assists in just 18 minutes but left the game multiple times.
While getting back on defense, Morant turned his ankle after the Mavericks' Naji Marshall attempted bounce pass hit the Grizzlies guard's ankle.
He hobbled off the floor and quickly asked for a substitute as Memphis was leading Dallas, 36-35, with 8:53 left before halftime.
But Morant came back in the second half, only to leave the game for good after the third quarter.
Ja Morant appeared to roll his ankle in transition and headed to the locker room. pic.twitter.com/5ojZsFbkUR
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 8, 2024
Head coach Taylor Jenkins also gave an update on his star player's status, stating to Mcmahon that Ja had a "minor little tweak” in his ankle.
Ja Morant: “I’m good. It’s preseason, man.” https://t.co/C5yGI8g3CB
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 8, 2024
Brandon Clarke led Memphis with 17 points. Desmond Bane had 11 and no. 9 pick Zach Edey finished his preseason debut with six points, seven rebounds, and one block in 11 minutes.
Meanwhile, Jaden Hardy paced the Mavericks with a team-high 21 points while four other Mavericks tallied two-digit outings.
Dallas superstars Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson did not play.
Also emerging as winners on Wednesday's preseason action are the New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers, OKC Thunder and the Utah Jazz.
