Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant returned to the court last month after serving a 25-game suspension to begin the season. Unfortunately, his return to the court didn’t last long.
An injury end his season before it ever really got started.
Morant was held out of the team’s most recent game against the Phoenix Suns with what was reported as right shoulder soreness. However, an MRI on Monday determined that there was a far more significant underlying injury that Morant is dealing with. According to the Grizzlies’ PR team, an MRI uncovered that Morant has a labrum tear in his right shoulder, which will require season-ending surgery.
The @memgrizz announced the following medical update: pic.twitter.com/Cr7xKj1Wm4
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) January 9, 2024
It appeared as if Morant was just starting to round back into form as of late. More importantly, it was leading to success for the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies have a 6-3 record in the nine games that Morant has played in this season.
This is obviously awful news that nobody saw coming. And many fans took to social media to offer their reaction to the news shortly after it emerged.
Just when Ja Morant was having a successful return, his season came to an end.
This news sucks on so many levels. pic.twitter.com/dehvKooGse
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) January 9, 2024
Prayers up for Ja Morant
The most electrifying player in the league
Get well soon, the league needs you 🙏 pic.twitter.com/jf9HDOS55H
— Emo Jimmy (@WheelerJaylen) January 9, 2024
ja morant came back just in time to smoke the lakers and then shut down the entire season lmfaooooo
but wow man, hope we get a fully healthy season of ja next year
he looked incredible post suspension
— Coach Rome (@Rome_Beast) January 9, 2024
Grizzlies win percentage this season:
.667 — With Ja Morant
.259 — Without Ja Morant pic.twitter.com/bOPTF9Eq3M— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 9, 2024
This Ja Morant news just ruined my night. Get well soon king. Game is so much better with him on the court
— First Responder Drew (@haaaaandrew) January 9, 2024
Morant has obviously dealt with his fair share of off-court issues over the past year. But when he has been able to take the court, he has typically been as excellent as advertised.
He will now need to regroup and prepare for the 2024-25 season, which certainly has to be a bitter pill to swallow for him considering all he has done in his personal life to return to the court as is.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.