MEMPHIS — Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant shouted in agony as he ran off the court holding his right hand midway through the fourth quarter of Sunday’s Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers and did not return.
Memphis trailed by four when Morant exited and went on to lose 128-112, with the Lakers closing the game on a 23-11 run after Memphis lost its starting point guard.
Morant was playing with that hand wrapped as a result of an injury suffered during the final week of the regular season. He hurt the hand again when it slammed onto the court with 5:48 remaining in the fourth quarter as he fell after charging into Lakers big man Anthony Davis. Morant attempted to attack the basket and finish over Davis but was called for an offensive foul.
After staying on the ground for several seconds, Morant got to his feet and immediately ran past the Grizzlies’ bench into the locker room. Morant was wearing a black pad on his right hand when he returned to the Grizzlies’ bench but he did not check back into the game.
Morant was not listed on the Grizzlies’ injury report entering the game. Coach Taylor Jenkins said pregame that Morant would have no limitations due to the sore hand.
Memphis will host the Lakers for Game 1 on Wednesday night.