The Warriors will be playing an undermanned Grizzlies team Wednesday night when they try to close out their series in Memphis.
Star guard Ja Morant, the NBA’s Most Improved Player, is out for Memphis’ must-win Game 5 as the Warriors lead the Western Conference semifinals 3-1. He has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right knee, the Grizzlies announced Tuesday, and is doubtful to return to the playoffs no matter how much longer his team remains alive.
Morant also missed Game 4 Monday night at Chase Center, a 101-98 Warriors win that was sluggish from both teams.
As plenty of commentators have pointed out, Memphis was 20-5 without Morant in the regular season on its way to the No. 2 seed in the West, but the Grizzlies have relied more heavily on him in the postseason. He’s scoring 27.1 points per game in the playoffs, including 47 and 35 points in back-to-back performances in Games 2 and 3 against the Warriors.
Morant and Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins pointed to one Game 3 play in particular for the injury: Two Warriors trapped Morant and Jordan Poole grabbed Morant’s knee while reaching for the ball.
The NBA did not discipline Poole for the play. Morant also battled knee issues late in the season.
Morant has averaged 38.3 points, 8.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds over four games in the series against the Warriors.
