Ja Morant Injury – Memphis Grizzlies
After suffering a right knee injury in Game 3 against the Warriors, the Jazz’s Ja Morant has been out since. The MRI results revealed a bone bruise in his knee. Unfortunately, this means that Morant will not play Game 5 and will most likely miss the rest of the postseason. The next step is to decide if the injury will prevent him from returning to the court.
Jordan Poole is accused of “yanking” Ja Morant’s knee
After the Grizzlies’ Game 3 loss to the Golden State Warriors, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins is curious what the NBA will do about a play that may have caused Ja Morant to injure his knee. The Grizzlies’ guard Ja Morant was in the process of going for a steal when he was injured by Jordan Poole.
On Monday night, Grizzlies star Ja Morant limped off the court with a knee injury and was examined by doctors. Morant said he felt Poole “yanking” his knee. However, he did not talk to reporters after the game. The Grizzlies head coach, Taylor Jenkins, did post a message on his Twitter account referencing Golden State coach Steve Kerr’s recent comments criticizing Golden State guard Dillon Brooks for injuring Gary Payton II.
Memphis Grizzlies believe Poole’s arm made contact with Morant’s knee
Memphis Grizzlies forward Ja Morant injured his knee on a play against the Warriors. It happened during the scramble for the ball after Andrew Wiggins trapped Morant near half court. The ball bounced in the air and Poole reached behind Morant to snag it. Slow-motion replays showed Poole’s arm made contact with Morants knee.
Although Poole’s arm made contact with Ja Morant’s knee, Memphis Grizzles believe it was not intentional. Grizzlies guard Tyson Jones defended Poole, saying he didn’t have malicious intent.
Grizzlies haven’t suspended or fined Poole for his actions
While the Grizzlies haven’t suspended Poole for his actions, they have taken a couple jabs at Dillon Brooks. The Warriors coach referred to “the code” after Memphis forward Dillon Brooks was flagrant-two for striking Golden State guard Gary Payton II during a play. Payton fractured his elbow during the play and is likely out for the postseason.
The Grizzlies haven’t suspended Poole for his actions after the incident, but that doesn’t mean the NBA will. Poole isn’t being disciplined by the Grizzlies for the incident, which led to Ja Morant’s injury. After the game, Poole denied intentionally grabbing Morant’s knee during a scramble for the ball. Afterward, he said he wished the star player a speedy recovery.
Memphis Grizzlies have started Tyus Jones in place of Morant
Memphis Grizzlies guard Tyus Jones is proving that he can start and is a great complement to Ja Morant. The rookie is averaging 25.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 three-pointers, and 1.4 steals per game. Memphis has been 10-2 when Morant isn’t in the lineup this season.
Ja Morant’s injury has thrown his starting position in jeopardy and the Grizzlies have turned to Tyus Jones to fill that spot. The Grizzlies aren’t going to have the luxury of a backup point guard in a playoff situation, and Jones has proven he can fill that role.
