In a gripping showdown on Monday night, the Dallas Mavericks clashed with the Memphis Grizzlies in an NBA preseason battle. As the third quarter drew to a close, the Grizzlies held a slim lead over the Mavericks, 93-90. However, the highlight of the game was overshadowed by the unfortunate injury to Ja Morant, who rolled his ankle for the second time this season.
Morant’s initial ankle strain occurred during the second quarter while attempting to halt a two-on-one fastbreak. He managed to return to the game, only to suffer another ankle setback after executing a cut and a dunk in the third quarter. Noticing the severity of his situation, Morant signaled to the Grizzlies’ athletic trainer that he was finished for the night, as reported by Nick Angstadt.
The basketball community holds hope for a swift and safe recovery for Morant, who ended the game with 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists. The Grizzlies will need their star point guard in top form as they seek to redeem themselves from a challenging 2023-24 season.
Last season, a serious shoulder injury sidelined Morant for the latter half of the campaign. Prior to that, he had been averaging an impressive 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.6 rebounds over nine games. While his enthusiasm for dunks remains undiminished, there is an implicit understanding that caution may be warranted moving forward. The Memphis organization is eager to see Morant back on the court, ready to make an impact.
Known for his tenacity, Ja Morant is a competitor who never shies away from a challenge, even against his teammates. One of his ambitions includes dunking on Zach Edey, a fellow Grizzlies player he has yet to achieve this against.
In their previous preseason encounter, the Grizzlies triumphed over the Mavericks with a score of 121-116. Head coach Taylor Jenkins emphasized the importance of preparing for Dallas’s potent offense in the lead-up to the game. With their victory on Monday, it’s evident that Memphis executed their strategy effectively. As they gear up for the 2024-25 season, maintaining this level of performance will be crucial for their success.
