Ja Morant, the star point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, has not played since January 21, 2026, after suffering an elbow injury during a matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. The injury, now confirmed as an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprain in his left elbow, has kept him sidelined for 12 consecutive games, and it’s now clear that Morant will need additional time to recover.
Understanding the UCL Sprain
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the UCL is most commonly injured by repeated stress from overhead movements, which is especially common in sports involving repetitive throwing actions. This injury is often seen in baseball and basketball players who perform frequent arm motions under strain.
Symptoms of a UCL sprain include pain inside the elbow, which can limit a person’s ability to throw or perform actions that involve arm acceleration. Some players may also experience tingling or numbness in their pinky and ring fingers, which indicates nerve involvement in the area.
Ja Morant’s Current Condition
Despite progressing in his rehabilitation, the Grizzlies have confirmed that Ja Morant is still not at a stage where he can manage the pain and return to playing. This is disappointing news for the team and fans, as Morant is one of the NBA’s most exciting young players and has been integral to the Grizzlies’ success.
Morant’s recovery process remains ongoing, and the team has yet to provide a specific timeline for his return. The focus is on ensuring that he is fully healed and able to perform at his best without the risk of further aggravating the injury.
Memphis Players Stepping Up in Morant’s Absence
Amid Morant’s absence, several players have stepped up for Memphis. Most recently, Ty Jerome, who made his season debut after recovering from a calf injury, has impressed with an average of 19.7 points, 6.0 assists, and 1.2 steals in the six games he’s played so far.
Rookie Cedric Coward has also been solid, contributing 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 48 games, including 35 starts. Additionally, second-year guard Jaylen Wells is averaging 12.1 points on 41.5% shooting, stepping up in Morant’s absence.
Grizzlies’ Upcoming Schedule
The Grizzlies are scheduled to return to action on Friday against the Utah Jazz. In the next two weeks, they will face tough matchups against the Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
While Morant continues his recovery, Memphis will rely on their supporting players to maintain momentum in the Western Conference playoff race.
Looking Ahead
As Morant continues his rehabilitation, the Grizzlies will monitor his progress closely to ensure his return is not rushed. It’s crucial for the team’s long-term success that Morant recovers fully and doesn’t push through pain that could lead to further complications.
While no official return date has been set, Ja Morant and the Grizzlies are hopeful that the star guard will be back in action soon. His return could be a game-changer for the team as they make a push toward the playoffs.
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