Ja Morant Sidelined for Grizzlies vs Pelicans Clash with Elbow Injury
The Memphis Grizzlies will be without their star point guard Ja Morant when they face the New Orleans Pelicans on January 30, 2026. Morant has been officially ruled out due to a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, an injury that occurred during a practice scrimmage earlier in the week.
Injury Timeline and Recovery Approach
This is not a last-minute decision by the team. After thorough medical evaluation, the Grizzlies have determined that Morant requires several weeks of rest for proper healing rather than attempting a quick return. The organization is taking a cautious approach, prioritizing complete ligament recovery over short-term fixes. This strategy aims to prevent potential aggravation or more serious injury but means Memphis will be without their primary playmaker until approximately the middle of February.
Morant had recently returned from a different injury absence, having missed six games earlier in January with a right calf contusion. In his first two games back, he demonstrated strong form with impressive performances:
- 24 points and 13 assists against the Orlando Magic in London
- 23 points and 12 assists in a close loss to the Atlanta Hawks
Unfortunately, this promising comeback was interrupted by the elbow injury. For the season, Morant has now missed 25 of Memphis's 45 games, with this latest absence set to increase that total significantly.
Grizzlies Adjustments Without Their Star Guard
With Morant unavailable, coach Taylor Jenkins faces significant challenges in redistributing ball-handling responsibilities. The primary burden will fall on Tyus Jones, Jaylen Wells, and Desmond Bane, who must now create offensive opportunities and maintain offensive organization.
The Grizzlies' depth concerns extend beyond Morant's absence. The team is dealing with multiple additional injuries:
- Santi Aldama (knee problem)
- Brandon Clarke (calf injury)
- Zach Edey (ankle stress reaction)
- Scotty Pippen Jr. (recovering from toe surgery)
These personnel limitations will likely force Memphis to adopt a slower-paced offensive approach, relying more heavily on set plays and defensive intensity to remain competitive.
Game Expectations Against New Orleans
Morant's absence fundamentally changes how Memphis approaches the game against New Orleans. Typically, Morant generates easy scoring opportunities through rim attacks and pace-pushing transition play. Without this dynamic element, the Grizzlies will find it more challenging to create quick baskets, particularly on the road where margin for error diminishes.
The matchup may evolve into a lower-scoring, half-court oriented contest, especially considering New Orleans's inconsistent performance this season. Memphis will need to emphasize ball security and capitalize on open shooting opportunities to stay competitive throughout the game.
Fantasy Basketball and Betting Implications
For fantasy basketball participants, Morant's absence redistributes value across the Memphis backcourt:
- Tyus Jones becomes the safest option for assists and consistent minutes
- Desmond Bane has the best potential to lead the team in scoring
- Jaylen Wells may see increased playing time, though his production could fluctuate
While none of these players can fully replicate Morant's all-around production, all should benefit from additional touches and offensive responsibilities.
From a betting perspective, oddsmakers are likely to favor New Orleans slightly due to Memphis missing their top guard. Additionally, Morant's absence could contribute to a slower game tempo, making a lower total score more probable than a fast-paced, high-scoring affair.
The Grizzlies will need to employ a committee approach in their backcourt while leaning heavily on defensive execution to remain competitive against the Pelicans without their star guard available for this important matchup.
