The Memphis Grizzlies got some horrible news on Tuesday afternoon.
The organization released a statement that emerging superstar and Most Improved Player Ja Morant is doubtful for the remainder of the playoffs due to a bone bruise in his right knee. Morant already missed Monday night’s Game 4, which the Warriors won 101-98 thanks to some clutch free throws from Stephen Curry.
Golden State now leads the series 3-1.
Ja Morant has a bone bruise in his knee and is expected to miss the rest of the playoffs, the Grizzlies announce. https://t.co/U4q0HXViue
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 10, 2022
Of course, the Morant news comes after a heated debate over how he sustained the initial injury. Many pointed toward an encounter he had with Jordan Poole in the 4th quarter where the Warriors’ guard appeared to grab Morant’s knee going for a loose ball.
Morant clearly took issue with the play, using Steve Kerr’s “broke the code” phrase that the head coach used to describe the Flagrant 2 foul that led to a Dillon Brooks suspension in Game 2. Morant later deleted the tweet.
Ja Morant reacted to Jordan Poole grabbing his knee.
(via @JaMorant) pic.twitter.com/9XhvkPfYxG
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 8, 2022
All things considered, it’s extremely hard to believe that Poole’s actions caused a bone bruise, which is likely why the two did appear to make up before last night’s Game 4.
Regardless, Bulls fans saw firsthand how unkind the injury gods could be this season, and it sucks knowing the NBA will likely see one of its rising stars have to end his season early.