LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant will miss the rest of the National Basketball Association season due to a shoulder injury he suffered just weeks after his return from a 25-game suspension, his team said Monday.
The Grizzlies said in a statement that the gifted 24-year-old point guard suffered an injury to his right shoulder during training on Saturday.
“Following ongoing soreness and instability, Morant underwent an MRI that revealed an underlying labral tear,” the Grizzlies said.
“Morant will undergo season-ending surgery and is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-2025 season.”
The injury comes as a hammer blow to Memphis and Morant as they attempt to turn around a season which has left them languishing in 13th place in the Western Conference with a 13-23 record.
Monday’s announcement comes less than a month after Morant returned to playing on December 19th with a 34-point display in a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.