Grizzlies star Ja Morant will not play on Wednesday night against the Lakers in Game 2. He re-aggravated a right hand injury in Game 1. 

Here’s what to look for on and off the court as the Grizzlies take on the Lakers in Game 2 of their NBA playoff series Wednesday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. at FedExForum. 

Will Ja Morant play in Game 2? That’s the mystery of the moment. But however it turns out, there is fresh reason for hope.

The Grizzlies did not have definitive answers on Ja Morant’s availability for Game 2. They would rather make the Lakers guess. If Morant is out, Tyus Jones will be ready. 

Jaren Jackson Jr. thought he should have won Defensive Player of the Year last season. He responded by taking his game to an undeniable level.

If Ja Morant’s injury wasn’t the story of the outcome of Game 1, it’s still the lead story for the rest-of-series outlook. 

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Grizzlies Insider: Memphis ‘disappointed,’ ‘p----- off,’ by Game 1 effort

Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins, visibly displeased after the loss, made it known they have a lot of work to do. 

The Grizzlies lost the game and they lost Ja Morant. On a no good, very bad day at FedExForum.

The forward had 29 points off the bench for the Los Angeles Lakers.

If most things went poorly for the Grizzlies in their 128-112 Game 1 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the one thing that went the most right has particular meaning for that future: Jaren Jackson Jr.’s game-high 31 points in more than 37 minutes. 

NBA box score for Game 1 of the western conference playoff series between the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers played Sunday, April 16, at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Grizzlies dropped Game 1 to the Lakers on Sunday afternoon, and the status of Ja Morant moving forward is uncertain.

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Box score: Lakers 128, Grizzlies 112

Ja Morant leaves game with hand injury

Playoffs Game 1 halftime report: The Grizzlies have a battle on their hands

Ja Morant left Game 1 of the Grizzlies’ playoff series with the Lakers with a hand injury.

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Playoffs Game 1 halftime report: The Grizzlies have a battle on their hands

Just 24 minutes of action in, it’s already apparent that Memphis will have a battle on its hands in its opening-round series versus Los Angeles.

There was a growl towel on every seat in FedExForum Saturday. Which means it is that time in Memphis, once again. “It never gets old, man,” said Jaren Jackson Jr. “It’s still hype every single time.”

Here’s what to look for on and off the court as the Grizzlies take on the Lakers in the first game of their playoff series Sunday, April 16. 

When asked what his team is supposed to make of the excitement surrounding the Grizzlies vs. Lakers series, Memphis Coach Taylor Jenkins wants his team to tune out the noise.

“It’s a shoe for underdogs who have the dog in them, kicks for anyone who has been underrated or overlooked, who’s been told they’re too small or their dreams too big,” Ja Morant said.

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Grizzlies Insider: Memphis shows Lakers respect, but series is destined to heat up

Drew Hill and Chris Herrington give their thoughts on the upcoming series between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers. 

“Obviously, they are a good team. They have LeBron (James) and (Anthony Davis). It’s a team we can’t take lightly, so we have to come in and stay locked in to the game plan,” says Ja Morant. 

Ja Morant filed a countersuit against Joshua Holloway. Which is certainly his legal right. But if he wants his reputation, he doesn’t need more lawyers. He just needs to beat LeBron James.

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Herrington: The Lakers bring bigger stars to this series, the Grizzlies meet them with more

What will come? The tantalizing truth of a playoff series is that no one can know. But here are a few ways of thinking about it.

In new court filings, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant said he is the victim of slander, battery and assault after an alleged fight at his home with a teenager during a pickup basketball game. Morant said the teenager, who previously sued him, could have ended his career by throwing a basketball at his face.

Dillon Brooks said he “wouldn’t mind” playing LeBron James in a seven-game series. Well, duh. The Grizzlies have a chance to bounce James from the playoffs and redefine themselves in the process. Who wouldn’t mind doing that?

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NBA releases Grizzlies vs. Lakers series schedule

Game 2 in Memphis will be played on Wednesday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m.

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Memphis Grizzlies to meet LeBron, L.A. Lakers in first round of playoffs