Yes Morant’s aggressive playing style is part of what makes him such a special talent, but it also makes him susceptible to injuries. A few terrifying falls led to some missed games last season, and in Monday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, Morant suffered what the team described as a sprained left ankle. Fortunately, according to Fracture, there is no break ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, and the team is now awaiting results of an MRI scheduled for Tuesday.
The injury remained 2:43 left in the second quarter and the Grizzlies led the Nets 51-45. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot climbed to a jumper, and Morant, who flew in from behind him, made a wild attempt to block his shot. Instead, he landed on Luwawu-Cabarrot’s foot and apparently twisted his ankle. He immediately jumped off the court with considerable pain and had to be taken to the dressing room in a wheelchair.
Morant started this season with an absolute tear and averaged 36 points and eight assists in the first two Grizzlies games of the season. Memphis cannot afford to lose him for any significant period of time, given the other injuries he is already facing. Jaren Jackson Jr. has yet to play this season due to a knee injury, and Justise Winslow is still recovering from a hip injury sustained in training before the weather starts in Orlando.
Sure enough, Brooklyn trailed by six when Morant went down, and by halftime they had already regained the lead 55-54. The Grizzlies need Morant if they are to advance to the playoffs in the highly competitive Western Conference.