Memphis Grizzlies Depth Chart Update: Ja Morant Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant to undergo shoulder surgery, ruling him out for the season. Team will rely on secondary options.

The Memphis Grizzlies are facing a major setback as star point guard Ja Morant is set to undergo shoulder surgery after a season-ending injury. This is a huge blow to the team, especially after Morant's return from a 25-game suspension and the team's improvement to a 13-23 record following a rough start to the season. Now, the Grizzlies will have to regroup and rely on their secondary options for the remainder of the season. However, the franchise remains optimistic that Morant will be fully fit and ready for the 2024-25 season.

Morant, who is 24 years old, will miss the upcoming matchup against the Dallas Mavericks and will undergo surgery after suffering a subluxation in his right shoulder during practice. His absence will force the Grizzlies to continue without the guard who played a key role in their recent success, especially since they are already without center Steven Adams due to a season-ending knee injury. This means that the onus will now fall on guards Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, and Derrick Rose (who is still recovering from a left hamstring strain).

Without Morant, the playmaking duties will now be shouldered by Marcus Smart, who stepped in as the team's point guard in the absence of Morant. Should Smart be the option, the Grizzlies' starting lineup could see a significant shift. Smart has been averaging 14.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists this season, with standout performances against the Suns and the LA Lakers.

If Smart and Bane also face injuries, the team's third option would be Derrick Rose, provided he is back in the lineup after recovering from his hamstring injury.

The absence of Morant will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the team, as he was a key contributor to their success. However, the team remains hopeful that they can continue to build on their momentum and stay healthy, keeping them in contention for the playoffs through the play-in tournament. Despite this setback, the Grizzlies are determined to remain competitive and make the most of their remaining games.