A day after Ja Morant was ruled out for the season, Marcus Smart left the game on Tuesday with a finger injury.

An MRI revealed Ja Morant has a torn labrum, making him ineligible to play the rest of the season. The star point guard encouraged the Grizzlies to continue to focus on the big picture. 

Everything you need to know about the NBA All-Star’s season-ending shoulder injury and its impact on the Grizzlies going forward.

Related story: 

Ja Morant out for season after tear in shoulder

Drew Hill and Chris Herrington react to the news that Ja Morant is done for the season. What comes next for the Memphis Grizzlies?

Ja Morant is out for the season and Grizzlies fans are mourning a year that just keeps getting worse. As one Memphian put it, succinctly: “I give up.” 

The Grizzlies notched one of their best wins of the season without Morant on Sunday, before the team knew of his fate. Perhaps that will help them carry confidence into a “rest of the season” they now know will continue without him.

Morant will undergo season-ending surgery and is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.

In taking down the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday and then the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, Memphis won consecutive games for only the third time this season.

Related story:

Grizzlies Insider: Turning the corner? Jackson doesn’t want to ‘jinx’ it

The Memphis Grizzlies are staying humble as they try to climb their way out of the bottom of the West. 

The Grizzlies star point guard was on the bench in a sling, but Jaren Jackson Jr., Vince Williams Jr., Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart lifted the team to come back win on the road.

Related story: 

Box score: Grizzlies 121, Suns, 115

Ja Morant out with shoulder injury vs. Suns

Here is the box score for the Sunday, Jan. 7, game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said Morant woke up with a sore shoulder following the team’s win over the Lakers. 

The Grizzlies stars took turns planting daggers in the fourth quarter against Los Angeles. 

Related story:

Box score: Grizzlies 127, Lakers 113

NBA box score for Friday’s game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers.

At a 5-4 pace the rest of the way, the Grizzlies would finish 38-44. Based on current winning percentages for other teams, that would not be enough to get the final play-in spot.

Related story:

Grizzlies Insider: Memphis players recognize important road trip ahead

On this episode of The Daily Memphian’s Memphis Grizzlies podcast, beat writer Drew Hill and Chris Herrington break down a busy week for the team. 

Good, sustainable starts are going to be critical for the Grizzlies on an important three-game road trip, according to Desmond Bane. 

Ja Morant spoke on the criticism he faced following the “Rock Ya Hips” dance he did during a win over New Orleans on Dec. 26.

Related content: 

Grizzlies comeback falls short against Raptors
Box score: Raptors 116, Grizzlies 111

The Memphis Grizzlies lost to the Toronto Raptors at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.

The Grizzlies cut the Toronto lead to four in the fourth quarter, but the late push came up short. 

Related stories:

Ja Morant says he appreciates Memphis defending him amid dance criticism

Box score: Raptors 116, Grizzlies 111

Darko Rajakovic said his stop in Memphis was instrumental in preparing him for his first NBA head coaching job with the Raptors.

Related story:

Darko’s back: Grizzlies players, coaches praise former assistant

Two rare talents, and two of the league’s most compelling young stars, met on the floor of FedExForum Tuesday night.

Ja Morant dunked on Victor Wembanyama, starting a sequence that put the Spurs away in the fourth quarter on Tuesday.

Related stories:

Grizzlies Insider: Even with wounded hand, Marcus Smart makes no excuses

Box score: Grizzlies 106, Spurs 98

The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, on Jan. 2, 2024.

Let it Fly, the sports bar Mike Miller opened in 2019, closed its Germantown location.