Ja Morant Injured After Missed Dunk in Grizzlies' 131-114 Win Over Lakers

Grizzlies' 131-114 Win Over Lakers

Ja Morant was forced to leave the Memphis Grizzlies' 131-114 win over the Los Angeles Lakers early in the third quarter after suffering a hamstring injury following a missed dunk. Morant attempted an alley-oop, soaring high above the rim, but landed awkwardly underneath the basket as the Lakers grabbed the rebound. Though no foul was called, Morant appeared to be in pain as he limped off the court and requested a substitution. He walked off to the locker room, and the Grizzlies later announced he was doubtful to return due to the injury.

Despite Morant’s early exit, Memphis continued to play strong and never lost their lead. He finished the game with 20 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds. The Grizzlies kept up the momentum in his absence, securing a 17-point victory. Morant’s injury status remains unclear, and it’s uncertain whether he’ll miss more games. The Grizzlies will face the Washington Wizards next, and his availability for that game is still up in the air.

Morant’s injury is yet another setback for the star guard, who’s already faced significant challenges in recent seasons. Last year, he served a 25-game suspension due to off-court issues and then suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. This season, Morant had been playing at a high level, averaging 20.7 points, 9.7 assists, and 5.1 rebounds before the hamstring issue. He is currently in the second year of a five-year, $197 million contract with the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies, however, were able to handle the Lakers without Morant in the lineup. After taking a six-point lead into halftime, Memphis led for the remainder of the game. Jaylen Wells and Josh Jackson Jr. both finished with 20 points, while Scottie Pippen Jr. added 14 points and 6 rebounds off the bench. With the win, the Grizzlies improved to 5-4 on the season, continuing their strong start to the year.

LeBron James had a standout performance for the Lakers, scoring 39 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists. He shot 6-of-11 from three-point range but didn’t get enough support from his teammates as the Lakers dropped to 4-4. The loss marked the Lakers' fourth in their last five games on the road. Despite LeBron’s efforts, the Lakers struggled to close the gap in the second half. They will look to bounce back when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.

Ja Morant Injured After Missed Dunk in Grizzlies' 131-114 Win Over Lakers