What is Ja Morant Injury? How Long Will Ja Morant be Out For?

The pre-season hopes for the Memphis Grizzlies were dashed on Sunday, October 5, when their superstar guard, Ja Morant, went down with an ankle injury after the NBA team practice. As the Grizzlies launched into their preseason opener against the Detroit Pistons, the news rocked the fanbase and brought back concerns about the guard's durability. For someone who electrifies fans with high-flying dunks and unmatched intensity, the performance is one thing, but as he faces another potential setback, the question becomes pressing: when will Ja Morant return?

Ja Morant’s Injury Update: Another Setback for the Grizzlies Star

According to official team reports, Ja Morant injured his ankle in practice and is now considered week-to-week. The Memphis Grizzlies’ spokesperson confirmed that Morant’s ankle sprain would require monitoring, leaving his availability for the upcoming regular season opener uncertain.
This latest Ja Morant injury update adds to the 26-year-old’s history of frustrating interruptions, from previous shoulder and hip issues to off-court suspensions. Morant has missed at least 15 games every season since joining the NBA, and his 2024–25 campaign was already cut short by a hip injury suffered in the first round of the playoffs.
The Grizzlies, who finished last season with a 48-34 record, now face the daunting task of starting 2025-26 without multiple key players. Center Zach Edey continues his recovery from ankle surgery and is expected to return by mid-November. Meanwhile, forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is still dealing with the aftermath of a turf toe surgery, leaving his opening-night availability uncertain. To add to the injury list, Brandon Clarke recently underwent knee surgery after a PCL sprain.

Can the Grizzlies Survive Without Their Star Guard?

As the team gets ready for the start of the regular season on October 22 against the New Orleans Pelicans, one big question lingers: Will Ja Morant be on the court? The Grizzlies have called his return “week-to-week,” so it's not completely out of the question, but hope diminishes daily.
And in addition to the injury situation, Memphis is experiencing turbulence as a franchise. They moved on from head coach Taylor Jenkins at the end of last season and traded Desmond Bane, formerly a franchise pillar, in the offseason. The combination of continuity no longer present and the star player who is now in doubt creates a lot of questions about whether Memphis can stay relevant as a competitive team in the loaded Western Conference.
When healthy, Morant is one of the most entertaining players in the NBA. Last season, as he dealt with injuries and then a 25-game suspension, Morant averaged 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.3 assists, while shooting 45.5% from the field. But he was only able to play in nine games. With so many uncertainties ahead with the roster, Morant’s timeline for recovery will ultimately dictate the outcomes of early-season games for the Memphis franchise. If he misses additional time, Memphis will be hard-pressed to be competitive in the playoff race against teams like the Lakers, Nuggets, and Warriors in the playoff race.