The Portland Trail Blazers had been one of the early surprises of the season, winning their first three games before suffering their first defeat. Ja Morant had played a key role in Portland’s impressive start, helping the team establish one of the NBA’s most efficient offences. However, the Memphis Grizzlies found a way to contain that attack, and the Blazers suffered another setback when their star summer signing Morant left the game with a hamstring injury.
Morant has suffered a Grade 2 strain in his left hamstring and will be reassessed in four weeks. The guard joins a growing list of injured NBA players, with as many as 79 reportedly sidelined during the first week and a half of the season. Portland have options to cover his absence, with Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson available to take on more responsibility. Nevertheless, it is a significant setback for a player who was beginning to rediscover his best form.
Not counting yesterday’s game, in which he played only 23 minutes, Morant had been averaging 16.3 points and 6.3 assists with excellent shooting percentages.
(Cover photo by Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
