Latest Ja Morant Injury Updates, Timeline to Return to Grizzlies amid NBA Trade Rumors

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, who has missed his team's last five games with a right calf bruise, has "a chance" to return on Thursday, when his team plays the Orlando Magic in Berlin.

Head coach Tuomas Iisalo relayed that news to reporters (h/t Joe Vardon of The Athletic) on Tuesday. If Morant doesn't return Thursday, he could still make an appearance on the team's two-game trip to Europe, which wraps up when Memphis plays Orlando in London on Sunday.

On Jan. 9, ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Grizzlies "are entertaining offers" for Morant. He added that this was the first time Memphis has "engaged other teams in trades" since the team selected him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.

It's been a tough season for Morant, who has appeared in just 18 games. He previously missed 10 games because of a Grade 1 right calf strain. Morant later missed four games with a left ankle sprain in December. He returned on Dec. 26 and played four contests. The right calf bruise has kept him out since Jan. 4.

Morant, who also suffered a preseason ankle sprain, has averaged 19.0 points (40.1 percent from the field, 20.8 percent from three), 7.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game.

He's been exceptional in the past, nevermore than when he made back-to-back All-Star Games in 2022 and 2023 while leading Memphis to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

However, it's been a rough year for 10th-place Memphis with the team sitting 10th in the Western Conference with a 17-22 record. They have been two games over .500 since a 4-11 start, though.

Ultimately, the date to watch is Feb. 5, marking the NBA's trade deadline. In the meantime, it appears that Morant thankfully will return soon from injury, perhaps even this week.