Memphis Grizzlies All-Star guard Ja Morant will return and start in Game 3 in the team's first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Morant missed Game 2 of the series with a hand injury he sustained in the series opening game.
Morant practiced on Friday, but despite being a full participant, it was a non-contact practice where he worked on shooting and dribbling. After practice, Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins said that catching the ball is something that Morant will still have to "navigate," but that his hand looks a lot better than it did two days ago.
The Grizzlies star missed Game 2 due to the hand injury, but the Grizzlies managed to pull out a 103-93 win without him against the Lakers to even up the series at one game apiece. The injury occurred in Game 1 of this first-round series, where Morant landed awkwardly on his outstretched right hand after attempting a dunk and colliding midair with Lakers big man Anthony Davis. Clearly in pain, Morant immediately subbed out of the game and headed back to the locker room.
Ja Morant headed to the locker room with an apparent injury after this play. pic.twitter.com/MZOrSN9Tmz
— ESPN (@espn) April 16, 2023
X-rays of Morant's hand came back negative after Game 1, and it was later announced that he suffered a soft tissue bruise. He could be seen during Game 2 on the bench wearing what appeared to be a glove to protect his hand.
Having Morant back for Game 3 is obviously a huge boost for a Memphis team is are already without key contributors Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke for the entirety of their playoff run. We'll have to see if there's any pain in Morant's injured hand and if it limits him at all, but having him back is certainly better than the alternative.
