The Memphis Grizzlies have a huge day March 23 when the worldwide leader in sports sets up shot in Grind City to go behind the scenes and in-depth with the second-best team in the NBA this season.
However, ESPN and its national audience will be disappointing to learn that All-Star point guard Ja Morant has officially been ruled out of the big game, according to Memphis Grizzlies public relations.
This will be the second consecutive game in which Morant has missed, previously sitting out of the team’s victory at Houston on Sunday.
Luckily for the Memphis Grizzlies, the team is an astounding 14-2 this season in matches that Ja Morant does not play, according to Stat Muse.
Expect back-up point guard Tyus Jones to hold the fort down in Morant’s absence.
In the 16 games that he’s filled in as a starter, the former Duke National Champion is averaging 11.9 points, 6.6 assist and 3.4 rebounds as a starter.
Compared to his seasonal averages of 8.2 ppg, 4.2 apg, 2.4 rpg, Jones is the exact kind of player you want taking over the offense when your superstar goes down.
The Grizzlies are in good shape, even without Morant. It’s unclear when the most electrifying player in the NBA will return, but the best guesses would point to Saturday at home vs Milwaukee or March 28 vs Golden State.
It seems unlikely that Morant would play Thursday versus the Pacers, since he isn’t even listed as day-to-day on the injury report. He is firmly “out.” The Memphis Grizzlies vs Brooklyn Nets game is set to air on ESPN at 6:30 p.m. CT March 23.
