Is Ja Morant playing tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans? Latest injury update from the Memphis Grizzlies (Oct. 25, 2023)

Ja Morant will not play in the Memphis Grizzlies season opener on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Morant is beginning his 25-game suspension. The Grizzlies star will be available to return on Dec. 19 against these same Pelicans.

The matchup could be a star-studded affair if Morant returns and Zion Williamson is healthy for the Pelicans. The two were the top two picks in the 2019 NBA draft. They have played each other six times in their career. The Pelicans won the first three, and the Grizzlies emerged victorious in the previous three.

Memphis will surely miss Morant and his playmaking, especially after losing backup point guard Tyus Jones as well. The hits keep coming for Memphis as it lost center Steven Adams for the season due to knee surgery.

The Grizzlies will hope newly acquired Marcus Smart can be the playmaking point guard in Morant’s absence. Memphis will likely play at a much slower pace and rely more on Desmond Bane as well. Bane should get plenty of usage after signing his massive rookie extension worth $205 million.

The Grizzlies injury report has a few more names on it. They will also be without Brandon Clarke and Santi Aldama in the season opener. Clarke is out with an Achilles injury, while Aldama is out with a right ankle sprain.

---

Why was Ja Morant suspended?

Ja Morant missed an extended time during March last season. The time away from the team and missed games came after Morant posted an Instagram Live video of him flashing a gun while in a Denver area strip club.

Morant then entered into a counseling program. He said he left the team to take some time for his mental health and returned after missing six games. However, the NBA suspended him for eight games, including the six already missed.

Morant found himself in hot water once again in May. Morant was seen flashing a gun once again while riding in his friend's car. The video was posted on his friend’s Instagram account in another livestream.

Morant was suspended indefinitely from the team and faced even more public scrutiny after the second incident. The NBA suspended him for 25 games in June.

Ja Morant also lost endorsements. His partnership with Nike was briefly suspended before the release of his signature shoe, which has since been released to high sales. He also lost his deal with Powerade as its new spokesperson.