Why Ja Morant Isn't Returning From Knee Injury This Postseason

After going 20-5 without Ja Morant during the regular season, the Grizzlies are 1-1 without him in the playoffs. 

Even if the Grizzlies can force a Game 7 and outlast the Golden State Warriors, Morant will not return to the playoffs because of a right knee bone bruise he suffered in Game 3.

Ja Morant Injury Update

The 2022 All Star point guard is dealing with a bone bruise he suffered on this close out of Klay Thompson.

Morant came away limping, but played another quarter until soreness set in. That is common with bone bruises, according to our team of Pro Basketball Docs with decades of NBA medical experience.

Once diagnosed, bone bruises can only be solved with rest and typically result in a 3-4 week absence.

With the best case scenario, that would likely allow Morant to return for the final three games of the finals. 

However, Morant reportedly dealt with a bone bruise in the same knee earlier in the season that kept him out of nine games in late March to early April.

With that recent information, the Pro Basketball Docs expect the team to be extra cautious with Morant's recovery and prevent the bone bruise from becoming a chronic issue.

Proper rest and management of the injury will have the 22-year-old ready for the start of next season with no lingering issues. A rush to return before fully healed would put that in jeopardy.

Injury Impact on the Grizzlies

Tyus Jones will continue to start at point guard and has done more than an admirable job filling Morant's shoes.

Jones, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. all scored a team-high 21 points in the Game 5 blowout win. 

Bane and Jackson had no trouble scoring during the regular season, but Jones' ascendance as a third scorer has given Memphis an offensive boost in the series.

Steven Adams and Kyle Anderson will also continue to see increased usage as head coach Taylor Jenkins has opted for a bigger defensive lineup in the past two games.

Grizzlies vs Warriors Game 6 Odds

The Grizzlies are 8.5 point underdogs on the road in Game 6 and the over/under is 217.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Memphis is at +700 to win the series and +4900 to win the NBA Finals.

Check out the Game 6 Court View here: