Ja Morant listed as week to week with ankle sprain: What it could mean for opening night

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant will miss the team’s preseason opener Monday and could be in jeopardy of missing the start of the regular season with a left ankle sprain, according to a team spokesperson. The Memphis Commercial Appeal was first to report the news.

The newspaper, citing a team spokesman, reported that Morant sustained the injury during a team practice Sunday and is listed as “week to week.”

Memphis is scheduled to play a five-game preseason schedule before opening the regular season on Oct. 22. Morant has appeared in only 59 contests over the past two seasons due to suspension and injuries.

What does it mean for opening night?

Morant’s injury comes as another major blow for the Grizzlies and their star point guard, with the start of the regular season only two weeks away.

Memphis was already preparing to be shorthanded at the beginning of the season, with starting center Zach Edey recovering from offseason ankle surgery and reserve big man Brandon Clarke also recovering from offseason knee surgery. Edey and Clarke are expected to be sidelined for the Grizzlies’ regular-season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 22.

Grizzlies star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. has also been limited during training camp as he recovers from offseason surgery to address a turf toe injury in his right foot. Jackson hopes to be ready for the start of the season, but his status remains uncertain.

The Grizzlies could go into opening night with Morant, Jackson, Edey and Clarke all sidelined.

Morant’s injury also adds to the long list of ailments and off-court issues that have kept him off the court over the past few years. Morant has missed a total of 126 regular-season games over the past three seasons, and he sat out Game 4 with a hip injury as the Grizzlies suffered a first-round sweep against the Oklahoma City Thunder in last year’s playoffs.

Considering his history with injuries during the first six seasons of his career, Morant told Grizzlies media that his goal for 2025-26 was to play in all 82 games.

However, that already appears to be in jeopardy with the latest news. — Will Guillory, NBA staff writer