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Ja Morant Drops Concerning Admission on Lingering Injury
Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The Memphis Grizzlies struggled at home Wednesday night, falling 120-103 to the Oklahoma City Thunder as Ja Morant battled through a lingering shoulder injury.  

The two-time All-Star guard, who had missed the previous two games, returned to the lineup and finished with 24 points and six assists. But despite his efforts, the Grizzlies couldn't keep up with the surging Thunder, who improved to 51-11 on the season behind a dominant performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Morant’s postgame comments, however, were just as concerning as the loss itself.  

The 25-year-old admitted after the game that he probably should not have played through his shoulder injury. While he fought to be on the floor, his comments suggest he may have pushed himself too far.  

“Gotta get the win,” Morant said, according to Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian, emphasizing his desire to help his team despite the pain.

But when asked whether this would be a lingering issue for the rest of the season, he responded with an uncertain, “I don’t know.” 

The admission raises questions about his availability moving forward, especially for a Memphis squad already dealing with significant setbacks this season.  

For a Grizzlies team sitting near the top of the Western Conference standings, Morant’s health remains a major concern. His willingness to push through injuries speaks to his competitive nature but also raises red flags about potential long-term effects.  

With the season winding down, Memphis must weigh whether keeping Morant on the floor is worth the risk—or if the franchise should prioritize his long-term well-being over short-term wins.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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