Ja Morant Downplays Possibility of Missing Grizzlies vs. Pelicans Opener Due to Injury

Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant doesn't believe he'll miss the start of the regular season, telling reporters Thursday that anybody worried about the possibility is "tweakin'."

The Grizzlies announced on Oct. 6 that Morant was considered week to week after suffering a left ankle sprain in practice.

Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said the injury 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.

Morant has played just 59 games over the last two regular seasons combined due to injuries and suspensions.

He appeared in 50 games of the 2025-26 season, returning for the first round only to suffer a hip contusion that sidelined him for the Grizzlies' elimination Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In his last four seasons with the Grizzlies, Morant has appeared in just 56 percent of his team's regular-season games, per the AP.

The Grizzlies face a steep climb to an eventual playoff bid in a stacked Western Conference. The team's postseason hopes hinge in large part on a strong season from Morant, whose numbers dropped slightly last season as he averaged 23.2 points and 7.3 assists per game.

Morant potential return in time for his team's Oct. 22 season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans, and hopefully returning to his previous All-Star production levels, could help the Grizzlies get off to a strong start to the 2025-26 campaign.