Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant Out For Season With UCL Elbow Injury

Ashish MathurMarch 25, 2026 12:22 PMMarch 25, 2026 12:23 PM

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant‘s 2025-26 season is over.

The Grizzlies announced that Morant won’t play again this season because of an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his left elbow.

A two-time All-Star, Morant played in only 20 games this season. He averaged 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game while shooting 41.0% from the field, 23.5% from beyond the arc and 89.7% from the free-throw line.

Morant will make $42.1 million next season and $44 million in the 2027-28 season, the final year of his contract.

The 2019-20 Rookie of the Year, Morant has led the Grizzlies to the second round of the playoffs just once. That was back in 2022.

Morant, 26, has career averages of 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. He was the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Murray State.

The Grizzlies intend to trade Morant this offseason, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic. Memphis traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz this season. The franchise is now in rebuild mode.

“Memphis intends to trade Morant over the summer, according to league sources,” Vardon wrote. “The team has the patience for any short-term pain that keeping him past the deadline may cause. Don’t view the Grizzlies’ non-action on him as a change in direction.”

Memphis entertained offers to trade Morant, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, at this year’s trade deadline. Rival executives believed the Grizzlies prioritized draft picks and young players in return.

The Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves have been linked to Morant in the past. It will be fascinating to see where Morant is playing next season.