Ja Morant’s latest injury absence appears to be a brief one.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins confirmed on Friday that Morant will return to the Memphis lineup after missing one game.
Morant was listed as probable to play Friday (4 p.m., NBA TV, FanDuel Sports Network) against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum while dealing with a left knee contusion.
This was the first time a Grizzlies player has been listed as probable this season. Among injury designations, a player being listed as probable is the most likely chance of availability.
Morant first suffered the contusion on Monday after banging knees with a Portland Trail Blazers player in the second quarter of a 123-98 Grizzlies win. He stayed in the game and finished with 22 points and 11 assists.
Jenkins revealed on Wednesday that Morant would be “day-to-day” since the injury flared up after Monday’s game.
Having Morant back on the floor for Friday not only helps the Grizzlies’ depth, but it also puts Memphis in position to pick up its first win in an NBA Cup game.
The Grizzlies (12-7) are 0-6 in NBA Cup games since the in-season tournament started last season. Morant has never played in a Grizzlies NBA Cup game.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant injury update: Will Memphis Grizzlies star play vs Pelicans?
