Grizzlies' Morant leaves Game 1 after scary fall

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts after falling to the ground during the second half during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Grizzlies' Ja Morant leaves Game 1 vs. Lakers after scary fall

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/16/23

The Memphis Grizzlies dropped Game 1 of their first-round playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, but they may have lost a lot more than the game.

Grizzlies star Ja Morant exited late in the fourth quarter, suffering a right-hand injury after a scary fall to the hardwood.

Ja Morant headed to the locker room with an apparent injury after this play. pic.twitter.com/MZOrSN9Tmz
— ESPN (@espn) April 16, 2023

With 5:51 left in the game, Morant attacked the basket aggressively for a layup, where he collided with Lakers' Anthony Davis, landing hard and awkwardly on his right hand. Favoring the hand, Morant immediately ran off the court at FedEx Forum to the locker room.

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters that Morant was "in some pain," but X-rays on his hand after the game were negative. Taylor also revealed that Morant had been dealing with an injury to the same hand before Sunday's contest.

“He’s in some pain,” Taylor Jenkins said of Ja Morant. The Grizzlies’ medical staff is evaluating Morant’s hand and wrist. He was already dealing with an injury to that hand. https://t.co/VwDpo8LJZ6
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 16, 2023

While the extent of Morant's injury isn't entirely known, Sunday's incident is all too familiar for Grizzlies fans.

Last postseason, Morant sustained a bone bruise to his right knee during the Western Conference semifinals against the Golden State Warriors, missing the remainder of the playoffs.

If Morant's injury forces him to miss any time, it could spell disaster for the second-seeded Grizzlies. After Morant left Sunday's game, the Lakers outscored the Grizzlies, 23-11, over the last five minutes and change, cruising to a 128-112 victory.

With or without Morant, the Grizzlies will host Los Angeles on Wednesday for Game 2, looking to even up the series at 1-1.

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