Does Ja Morant’s Injury Spell Disaster for the Grizzlies’ Playoff Hopes?

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With Ja Morant going down with a high ankle sprain in an overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets on December 28th, it raised concern for the Memphis Grizzlies’ season. Aside from Morant’s health, of course. Morant was going to be the leader of the Memphis Grizzlies as they attempted to finish higher than the eighth place they finished in last year. Morant had an incredible start to the season, scoring 44 points and having nine assists in a loss to the Spurs. When he went down against the Nets, he was averaging 26.3 points and 6.3 assists per game. It looked as if this injury would crush the playoff hopes of the Grizzlies as Morant is slated to be out 3-5 weeks.

It is important to note that this season a team can finish in tenth place and still have a chance at the playoffs through the play-in game. This would require the Grizzlies to finish in front of only five teams in the Western Conference. This may not seem like a tough task, but this year, in the West it will be extremely close. Having Morant out will certainly not help Memphis’ tall task.

If Morant was slated to be out for longer than just one month then, perhaps, it would be easier to write off the Grizzlies. However, this team is good and can compete while Ja Morant is out. Players such as Jaren Jackson Jr. (who is still working through an injury himself), Dillon Brooks, and Brandon Clarke must step up. If they can step up in Morant’s absence, then Memphis should have no problem making the top ten. However, if the Grizzlies find themselves lost on the court without Morant, then the next month could be a painful one for them. Their goal for now should be to tread water until Morant can come back. So far in Morant’s time missed, they are 1-3 with two close losses to the Los Angeles Lakers, who are, obviously, very respectable opponents. Their play forecasts that the team should be able to maintain position until Morant returns. 

When Morant returns, he should harbor little to no setback (maybe a little lack of fitness). He will be back to form very quickly after his return. If the Memphis Grizzlies can maintain position and Morant comes back at full force, then there is no reason the Grizzlies should not make at least the play-in game this year, though securing a top eight seed will definitely have its difficulties if Memphis cannot stand its ground without the young superstar.