Ja Morant out through NBA trade deadline after sprained left UCL

Cbssports reports Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant suffered a sprained UCL in his left elbow earlier this week in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks and will be re-evaluated in three weeks, an absence that will keep him out through the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. ET. The Grizzlies said Morant is expected to make a full recovery, but the injury introduces uncertainty for teams that might pursue a trade.

Morant had shown encouraging form recently, delivering a strong return in London against the Orlando Magic and recording a double-double against the Hawks before sustaining the elbow injury late in that game. His availability has been a concern: he has played 79 total games since the start of the 2023-24 season due to suspensions and injuries, and in 20 games this season he has averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists while shooting 41.0% from the floor and 23.5% from 3-point range; he has two years and $87 million remaining on his contract.

There was already a light market for Morant, with reports of interest from the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat described as overstated. With under two weeks to the trade deadline, it is unclear how active teams will be, particularly as Giannis Antetokounmpo's calf strain is expected to keep him out for the next month and has complicated the market.

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Sports, Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, Ucl Sprain, Nba Trade Deadline, Giannis Antetokounmpo