Ja Morant Out Four Weeks After Hamstring Injury vs. Grizzlies
The Trail Blazers' star guard suffered a Grade 2 sprain in his first game against his former team, ending his season-opening streak with Portland.
By Ivan Dvorak ·
Ja Morant will sit out at least the next four weeks for the Portland Trail Blazers after sustaining a Grade 2 left hamstring sprain. The team announced the injury on Thursday following a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Morant played 23 minutes before leaving with 7:46 remaining in the fourth quarter. He did not return to the court for the final stretch of the game.
The injury occurred when Morant missed a floater in the lane and lunged for the rebound. He stayed on the floor for two additional defensive possessions before exiting at the next stoppage. In his limited action, he recorded 14 points, three assists, and two rebounds. The contest marked his first matchup against Memphis since his trade to Portland earlier this summer.
Portland suffered a 124-103 defeat in the game, dropping their first match of the 2026-27 season. The team had started the campaign with victories over the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns. This loss interrupts a strong defensive start for the franchise, which currently holds the second-best defensive rating in the NBA at 101.3.
Morant has dealt with durability issues recently, playing in only 79 games over the past three seasons. He appeared in just 20 contests during the 2025-26 campaign. Since joining Portland, he has averaged 15.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds across his first four games. His absence forces a reshuffle in the backcourt for the remainder of his recovery period.
First-year coach Micah Nori will likely insert veteran guard Jrue Holiday into the starting lineup. Holiday has averaged 25.3 minutes per game this season, slightly behind Morant’s 25.8. The change may increase the playing time for Scoot Henderson, who has averaged 18.8 minutes. Sidy Cissoko currently leads the rotation in minutes per game at 22.8, though Henderson is expected to assume a larger role off the bench.
The roster depth at guard positions presents a complex lineup puzzle for the Blazers. The team carries Damian Lillard, who leads all guards in minutes with 29.5 per game. Shaedon Sharpe is also out for the season after tearing his lateral meniscus in late August. This situation leaves Nori managing a logjam of high-caliber players for limited minutes.
Morant is one of several NBA stars dealing with injuries during the early part of the season. Anthony Edwards, Paolo Banchero, and Kawhi Leonard are among those expected to miss upcoming games. Ben Simmons will miss the entire 2026-27 season after tearing his Achilles in practice. Other players such as Brandon Ingram and Jalen Williams have yet to make their season debuts.
