The Memphis Grizzlies announced Saturday that Ja Morant will be sidelined for approximately three weeks after sustaining a UCL sprain in his left elbow. The injury occurred during Memphis’ home loss to the Atlanta Hawks on January 21 at FedExForum.
In a team statement released January 24, the organization said, “Morant sustained a UCL sprain in his left elbow during the team’s home game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 21. He is expected to make a full recovery and will be reevaluated in approximately three weeks.”
Morant’s absence comes at a pivotal point in the season for Memphis, which sits 12th in the Western Conference at 18-25. The Grizzlies remain 17.5 games behind conference-leading Oklahoma City and are trying to stabilize amid a crowded play-in race.
Before the injury, the 26-year-old guard had played 20 games and started all of them. He averaged 19.5 points, 8.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds while logging 28.5 minutes per game.
Morant recently delivered one of his strongest performances of the season overseas. He posted 24 points and 13 assists against Orlando on January 18 in London, showing improved rhythm after an inconsistent first half of the campaign.
Efficiency has been uneven, however, with the point guard shooting 41.0 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from three-point range. Turnovers have also remained elevated at 3.6 per game, an area Memphis has struggled with collectively.
With Morant out, the offense will lean more heavily on Jaren Jackson Jr., who leads the roster with 18.9 points per game across 41 starts. Secondary creation is expected to come from Cam Spencer, Vince Williams Jr., and rookie guard Jaylen Wells.
Memphis enters a demanding stretch that includes upcoming home games against Denver and Minnesota, followed by road trips to Houston and New Orleans. January has already produced a 3–5 record, with the team winless on the road this month.
The injury also intersects with recent league chatter surrounding Morant’s future. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps said on The Hoop Collective, “I feel confident that Ja Morant will not be a Heat and will not be a Buck,” reflecting limited trade traction.
Bontemps and Brian Windhorst described external interest as “tepid,” while Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald reported Miami has not made an offer and would only engage if Memphis treated a deal as a “complete giveaway.”
