After only playing in 50 games last season, Ja Morant has suffered another setback.

The Memphis Grizzlies announced that Morant sustained a left ankle sprain during practice on Sunday (October 5). He is officially listed as “week-to-week.”

Morant’s latest injury is a devastating blow to the Grizzlies, who are already dealing with several players being hurt. Power forward Brandon Clarke is recovering from knee surgery after he sprained his PCL in September. Also, All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. and center Zach Edey will each miss the start of the season.

Over the past several years, Morant has missed more games than he’s played. He suited up for a combined 59 games the past two seasons, missing all but nine games during the 2023-24 campaign because of a 25-game suspension handed out by the NBA. Last year, he had a season-ending shoulder injury. 

Drafted with the second pick by the Grizzlies in 2019, he won the Rookie of the Year award and earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. In the  2021-22 season, Morant won the NBA Most Improved Player Award and was selected to the All-NBA Second Team.

During the media day, Morant spoke about moving on from last year’s postseason loss in the first round to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"That's in the past now," Morant said. "My focus now is just being locked in to this season, staying focused on the main thing. Go out and just do what I do."

Morant also spoke about the legacy he wants to leave as a player as he enters his 6th season in the league

"Number one, for me, my goal is to win," he said. Obviously, being a winner, bringing a championship here. But it's more than that for me. Off the court is probably the biggest thing. Being the best Ja I can be on and off the court, for the city."

The Grizzlies open the season against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 22.