Grizzlies’ Ja Morant to miss more time, now due to calf strain

Grizzlies star Ja Morant has struggled to stay on the court for a wide array of reasons, and he’s now due to miss time again.

The latest? Morant will be sidelined at least two weeks with a Grade 1 right calf strain, the team announced. He suffered the injury in the first quarter of Saturday’s road loss to the Cavaliers.

It’s the latest setback in what has already been a turbulent season. Morant had been managing right ankle soreness before the calf issue, and earlier this month he dealt with internal friction after a halftime disagreement with coach Tuomas Iisalo.

The exchange centered on effort, focus and substitution patterns, per multiple reports, and led to a one-game team suspension.

Since returning, things had calmed down and Morant had been back in the starting lineup. Still, league buzz has tied the Timberwolves to potential trade interest.

Morant is in Year 3 of a five-year, $197.2 million extension and is averaging 17.9 points and 7.6 assists, his lowest scoring output since his rookie season.

The injury history remains part of the story. Morant hasn’t played more than 61 games in a season in four years, missed most of 2023-24 due to suspension and shoulder surgery, and was limited to 50 games last season.

Given the current timeline, Morant will miss a minimum of eight games, starting with Tuesday’s nationally televised matchup against the Spurs.

Meanwhile, fellow Memphis guard Ty Jerome remains out with a calf injury of his own.