The Memphis Grizzlies’ preseason took an unfortunate turn when Ja Morant sprained his left ankle during practice on Sunday, October 5.
According to Sports Illustrated, team officials confirmed the injury and listed the 26-year-old point guard as week-to-week, putting his availability for the early part of the season in question.
Commercial Appeal’s Damichael Cole first reported the news, later confirmed in a statement: “Ja Morant suffered a sprained left ankle in practice yesterday. He is considered week-to-week.” The timing means Memphis will face the Detroit Pistons on Monday night in their preseason opener without their star floor general.
Morant’s setback comes after a brutal two-year stretch, during which injuries have already limited him to just 59 games since the start of the 2023–24 season. It’s a pattern that has impacted the Grizzlies as a whole, with the team frequently battling health issues across the roster.
For Morant, the timing is especially tough—just last week he said his top goal was to stay healthy. “My goal’s…to be healthy,” he told Grind City Media. “I want to play 82 [games]. I know I say it every year, but this offseason I’ve been focusing on my body, doing stuff to see how my body reacts to actually learn it, to know what I got to do to be ready.”
Even without Morant, Memphis was already staring down a difficult start. Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey, and Brandon Clarke are all expected to miss time at the beginning of the season. The regular season tips off October 22 against the New Orleans Pelicans, giving Morant a small window to recover before games start to count.
The injuries haven’t erased the excitement around the Grizzlies, though. A productive offseason and the arrival of new head coach Tuomas Iisalo have given fans a sense of optimism heading into 2025–26.
The preseason will now serve as a chance to see what Memphis’ supporting cast can bring without their stars, while Morant’s focus shifts toward getting back to full strength before the regular season begins.