Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant is expected to miss the team’s Game Four matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a hip injury, according to sources who spoke to ESPN.
Late during the second quarter of the Grizzlies’ 114-108 loss to the Thunder, Morant was undercut on a dunk attempt by Oklahoma City guard Luguentz Dort, causing Morant to take a hard fall to the court, where he immediately began writhing in pain before being treated by members of the medical staff. He then got up to attempt free throws before hobbling off the court to go back to the locker room. Morant was later seen standing in the tunnel on crutches during the fourth quarter of the game.
Ja Morant goes down after a hard fall.
He has left to the locker room. Hope he is okay 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Q5AWZQQlAz
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 25, 2025
Though Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo did not confirm his status for Game Four, he said that Morant underwent an MRI and was unable to practice today.
“They’re still examining him,” Iisalo told the media.
Game Four of the Grizzlies-Thunder series is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EDT on April 26th. If OKC wins, they will move on to the Western Conference Semifinals.
The end of the line for the Grizzlies
That injury changed the trajectory of this series. When Morant went down, Memphis was leading by 27 points. After he suffered the hip injury, the Thunder outscored the Grizzlies 64-41. Factor in that OKC only won by six points, and I am certain that if Ja Morant had never suffered, the Grizzlies would’ve won, and the series would’ve been much closer. But instead of Oklahoma City being up 2-1, they’re ahead 3-0 and will face Memphis without its best player on Saturday.
I am a firm believer that nothing in the world of competitive sports is ever guaranteed. Sports are often unpredictable, and upsets can happen. After all, “That’s why they play the game,” as Al Pacino once said. With that in mind, I can all but guarantee that the Memphis Grizzlies will lose and be bounced out of the playoffs on Saturday.
It’s not like Memphis was blowing anybody away before Morant’s injury. They were already trailing the Thunder 2-0 in this series and lost the first game against OKC by 51 points! With him now out of the lineup, I fear it may be hopeless for the Grizzlies.
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant will miss Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday due to a hip injury, sources tell ESPN. Morant played through a significant ankle sprain to clinch a playoff spot last week, then suffered a scary fall on his hip Thursday. pic.twitter.com/8i74mDuz08
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 25, 2025
Ja may not have been Memphis’ best scorer statistically, but he’s undoubtedly their most valuable player. He was averaging 20 points and 4.5 assists per game through the first two matchups of this series. Now, they’ll have to overcome a Thunder team that finished the regular season with a top-four offense and defense without the services of their best player. I just don’t see it happening.
I am confident the Thunder will win tomorrow. Even if the Grizzlies somehow manage to pull off an upset, I think it’s too late for Memphis to actually turn things around. No team in the history of the NBA has battled back from a 0-3 deficit to win a playoff series. That trend will continue, unfortunately for the Grizzlies.
