Same old trouble for Ja Morant? After the summer, when the Memphis Grizzlies made some changes, the expectations to compete were back. Last season, the Thunder outplayed and swept them 4-0 in the first-round playoff series. Even then, their star player, Ja Morant, suffered a hip contusion that sidelined him for the last game. Now, the recent injury news is completely different, but will it mean that the 2x All-Star will miss the opening game?

The preseason games have been rough for the Grizzlies without their star guard. Back-to-back defeats, 121-103 to the Celtics, and 128-112 against the Pistons. With less than 2 weeks left for their season opener against the Pelicans, doubts about Morant’s health started to creep in. The 26-year-old was nonchalant during his recent interview. “They be tweakin’,” Morant said in response to fans questioning his status for opening night, according to Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal.

His response appeared to indicate that the 6-foot-2 guard expects himself to be ready for opening night.”Panicking. Nothing to be crazy about. If I’m smiling and I ain’t telling you to worry, you ain’t got to worry.” The fear is obvious from the fans for two main reasons. Morant has played just 59 games over the last two regular seasons combined due to injuries and suspensions. Then at the beginning of the month, the coach provided the grim news.

On Oct. 6 announcement from the team stated Ja Morant’s status as “week-to-week”. This was only because of a left ankle sprain that the 2x All-Star suffered in practice. Coach Tuomas Iisalo further downplayed the injury and added that it occurred during a “basketball play” toward the end of practice. “Luckily, it’s preseason, and we look to have him back soon,” Iisalo said at the time.

Another concerning stat due to Morant’s injury and suspension came to light. The AP noted that in his last four seasons with the Grizzlies, Morant has appeared in just 56% of his team’s regular-season games of the available 328 regular-season games. An injury right now at the beginning of pre-season leads to questions over his fitness. Last season, he missed 32 games due to a variety of ailments (hip, ankle, and hamstring injuries).

In his six years so far in the NBA, Morant has yet to eclipse 70 games played, but he expressed during media day that his goal is to reach 82 games this season. And the trouble is not just limited to one superstar.

A wounded Grizzlies look at the challenge ahead

After trading Desmond Bane in the offseason, the roster for the 2025-26 NBA season was built around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. However, as fate would have it, both are sidelined by injuries. Grizzlies star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. had a limited session during the training camp. Why? The 26-year-old is recovering from offseason surgery to address a turf toe injury in his right foot. At the time, the team announced a four to six-week timetable for Jackson Jr, which is why his status remains uncertain.

Even their starting center, Zach Edey, is recovering from offseason ankle surgery. He also underwent surgery to address laxity in his left ankle in June. That pushes his return until mid-to-late November. Similarly, reserve big man Brandon Clarke is also recovering from offseason knee surgery. Again, he is expected to miss the Grizzlies’ regular-season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 22. So far, it’s all doom and gloom for the Memphis franchise.

Despite this, ESPN previously predicted them to finish 7th in the crowded West. In the preseason games without their star players, it was Jaylen Wells who stood out. The 22-year-old is a defensive-minded wing and a perimeter sharpshooter. Apart from him, Ty Jerome and veteran forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will have to shoulder the responsibility. So, let’s see if he can hold the fort until Ja Morant makes a successful return.