After missing all but nine games in the 2023-24 season, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is back with a mission, leaving his injury and suspension year behind.

Morant averaged 20.6 points and a career-high 9.1 assists per game in the first eight games of the new season, leading Memphis to a 5-3 record in games played.

Unfortunately, Morant was injured Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, and this game meant more to him than most. Morant left Wednesday’s game with a hamstring injury after taking a hard fall in the third quarter and did not return.

Although it was a hamstring strain that kept Morant out of that game, he was ruled out of Friday night’s game against the Washington Wizards due to right hip soreness.

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins has since provided an update on this injury, saying Morant will now have a follow-up call on Saturday, which will give the team a better idea of ​​when he can return to action.

Morant’s injury history remains a concern since finishing second overall in 2019; The star point guard never played more than 70 games in an NBA season, and that number rose to 67 during his Rookie of the Year season.

The two-time NBA All-Star led the Grizzlies to 56 wins in the 2021-21 season and 51 wins in the 2022-23 season, taking two places in the Western Conference in both years. The Grizzlies signed star guard 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. and 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, but the group has never been nearly as healthy as a whole.

Morant will miss the Grizzlies’ second game of the season on Friday when they host the Wizards, as the team certainly hopes his injury isn’t too serious.

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