Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant could be missing for Game 4 vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is sidelined with a left hip contusion. In the 2OT thriller last Thursday’s Game 3, Morant was knocked to the floor on a hard foul from Thunder guard Luguentz Dort. This occurred as Morant was attempting a sky-walking slam dunk on a fast break. This latest incident may severely jeopardize Morant’s playoff fate. The Grizzlies are one game away from going home.
Following the fourth quarter of Game 3, Morant was spotted on crutches in the tunnel outside the Memphis bench. This sight was a source of concern for both fans and teammates. After his fall, he was helped to his feet but struggled to walk, limping to the free-throw line where he missed both shots. The Grizzlies’ interim coach, Tuomas Iisalo, expressed relief that Morant’s injury was not more severe.
“Fortunately, he’s avoided a major injury, which is a big positive,” – Tuomas Iisalo
This particular injury is particularly heartbreaking. Morant had already fought through a challenging regular season, appearing in only 50 games because he sustained a variety of injuries. His absence was felt from the moment the Grizzlies tipped off in Game 3. This paved the way for the Thunder to complete the biggest second-half comeback in NBA playoff history. The Thunder came back from a staggering 26-point deficit to pull off a 114-108 win. That leaves the Grizzlies in a precarious position as they go into Saturday’s match-up.
Morant’s absence presents an opportunity for the Grizzlies to regroup and avoid crumbling without their franchise player. The spotlight will be squarely on the team’s Game 4 performance. A loss would likely end their playoff run. This puts into perspective how significant Morant’s impact has been all season long.
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