Ja Morant in danger of missing out on rest of postseason with injury

Ja Morant injured his right hand during the 2023 NBA Playoffs Game 1 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday and after initial evaluation, his status for Game 2 is in serious doubt.

The injury occurred midway through the fourth period when he tried to do a dunk over Anthony Davis. 

Officials called an offensive foul on Morant, who was visibly in pain and ran to the locker room. He returned to the bench moments later but missed the final stretch of the game.

The 23-year-old spoke to reporters after the loss and explained that he couldn't even undo a pair of socks with his right hand, saying that "it seems like it's one thing after another." 

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said Morant's X-rays were negative, ruling out a fracture, but he was in a fair amount of pain.

Morant had 18 points before leaving in the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies superstar played Game 1 with his right hand already wrapped from what coach Taylor Jenkins described as a contusion.