Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant is listed as doubtful for Game 4 of the first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.
Morant sustained a contusion on his left hip after a fall with 3:15 left in the first half of Thursday’s Game 3. He missed both free throws, then exited the game and didn’t return. He was sporting crutches in the second half.
Memphis led 67-40 when Morant was injured. But the Grizzlies collapsed without him and lost 114-108 to fall behind 3-0 in the best-of-seven series.
Morant was the trail man on a fast break when Scotty Pippen Jr. tossed a behind-the-back pass. As Morant was starting to go up with the ball, Oklahoma City’s Luguentz Dort made a quick stop and made contact with Morant, leading to a hard fall to the court.
“I was running quick, stopped on a dime,” Dort said after Thursday’s game. “I didn’t know he was behind me, and I was slipping. I tried to make a play on the ball, but we just ran into each other and he fell down. But I hope he’s OK. I didn’t mean to hit him like that.”
Morant, 25, reportedly underwent an MRI exam on Friday.
Morant had 15 points and five assists before exiting Game 3. He is averaging 18.3 points and 5.0 assists in the series.
Memphis guard Luke Kennard (Achilles) is listed as questionable.
–Field Level Media
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