NBA Rumors: Ja Morant to Return from Hip Injury for Grizzlies vs. Blazers

Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant will make his return against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night after missing eight games with a hip injury, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.

Morant suffered hip and pelvic muscle injuries during a Nov. 6 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Grizzlies announced three days later that Morant was considered week-to-week after suffering a "posterior hip subluxation without dislocation" and "multiple associated Grade 1 pelvic muscle strains."

Haynes previously reported following the Grizzlies' announcement that the injury would sideline Morant for "at least a week."

Morant left the game against the Lakers in the third quarter after landing awkwardly following an attempt at an alley-oop. The Grizzlies initially described him as doubtful to return with a hamstring injury.

The 2024-25 season marks the second straight campaign during which the Grizzlies have lost Morant for a significant stretch of time. He played just nine games in 2023-24 amid a suspension and a season-ending shoulder injury.

The guard averaged 20.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists, shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 25.8 percent from behind the arc, through the first eight games of the season.

Morant has a career average of 22.4 points on 47.1 percent shooting from the field. He is in his second campaign of the five-year extension his sixth season with the Grizzlies, and his second since he signed in Memphis in 2022.

His availability down the stretch will be key to Memphis' hopes of getting to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2013. At the time of his latest injury, the Grizzlies were 59-77 with the two-time All-Star on the sideline, according to StatMuse.