Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant will not play in Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, interim coach Tuomas Iisalo said.
Morant was listed as doubtful due to a left hip contusion he sustained after a fall with 3:15 left in the first half of Thursday’s Game 3. He missed both free throws then exited the game and didn’t return. He was sporting crutches in the second half.
“Fortunately, he’s avoided a major injury, which is a big positive,” Iisalo said, per ESPN.
Memphis led 67-40 when Morant was injured. But the Grizzlies collapsed without him and lost 114-108 to fall behind 3-0 in the best-of-seven series.
Morant was the trail man on a fast break when Scotty Pippen Jr. tossed a behind-the-back pass. As Morant was starting to go up with the ball, Oklahoma City’s Luguentz Dort made a quick stop and made contact with Morant, leading to a hard fall to the court.
Morant, 25, had 15 points and five assists before exiting Game 3. He is averaging 18.3 points and 5.0 assists in the series.
–Field Level Media
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