As the Memphis Grizzlies get set to face the Detroit Pistons, both teams face a game that means a lot. Just before the match, team officials shared news: star guard Ja Morant will not play because he is sick. His absence may affect the team’s hope for the playoffs.
This season, Morant plays a key role. In 47 games, he scores 22.9 points, grabs 4.2 rebounds, makes 7.3 assists, and gets 1.3 steals on average. In his four games before the Pistons match, he came back after missing six games earlier. The team sits in eighth place in the West and lost seven of their last ten games. Missing Morant may stop them from winning a needed game.
The teams met in November. In that game, the Grizzlies beat the Pistons by 20 points. With the season nearly over, every game now counts as Memphis works to hold its place in the playoff race.
The situation grows more difficult. The Grizzlies won their recent match against the Miami Heat after a run of four losses. Coach Taylor Jenkins and his players now face two tasks: win without one of their best players and keep up the good mood from their last win.
The next games may help bring Morant back. The team hopes he will join them when they meet the Charlotte Hornets. His return date is not clear, and the team’s medical staff will watch his progress closely.
As Memphis gets ready to play Detroit, fans wait for news about Morant’s health. His scoring and leadership help the team regain its early-season strength and earn a spot in the playoffs. If his teammates come together without him, it might mark a change for the team as they head into the final part of the season.