Ja Morant Reportedly Intends to Play for Grizzlies vs. Mavs, Latest on Ankle Injury

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is looking to suit up in the team's play-in tournament clash with the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

"I'm told the intention for Ja Morant is to go out there and play," Charania reported during an appearance on SportsCenter.

Morant has experienced "around-the-clock treatment" on his ankle after having a "significant amount of swelling over the last 24 hours," per Charania.

The point guard suffered the injury in the third quarter of the Grizzlies' 121-116 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.

Morant landed awkwardly on the foot of Warriors guard Buddy Hield, briefly leaving the game before returning in the fourth quarter to finish the contest.

He told reporters after the game that he would play against Dallas but didn't participate in practice on Thursday, via ESPN.

Morant is officially listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain.

Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo revealed that his availability wouldn't be known until Friday's matchup draws closer.

"If he feels he's good to go, we have full trust in him," Iisalo said Thursday, per Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "He's also a very good judge of how and if he's ready to go or not."

Friday's contest is crucial for the Grizzlies, as a win would give them the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and a loss eliminates them from playoff contention.

Morant struggled to stay healthy during his 2024-25 campaign, appearing in just 50 games. He was still able to average 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the field.

Memphis owned a record of 30-20 in games that Morant played in during the regular season and sat at just 18-14 without him.

His status should become clearer as Friday's contest approaches, with tip-off at 9:30 p.m. ET.