Ja Morant's season is over.
Morant has suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder and will undergo season-ending surgery in the coming days, the Memphis Grizzlies announced Monday night. Morant suffered the injury during a practice session on Saturday, the team said, and an MRI confirmed the injury on Monday.
It is unclear what exactly happened in practice that led to the injury. The 24-year-old is expected to be fully recovered by the start of next season.
Morant played in just nine games for the Grizzlies this season and was suspended 25 games in June for brandishing a firearm on social media. It was just the latest extrajudicial incident Morant has faced in the last year. He was suspended for eight games last season after displaying what appeared to be a weapon at a Colorado nightclub, and has also been linked to incidents in which he allegedly assaulted a teenager at his home and allegedly attacked the security chief of one shopping center in Memphis. His entourage also allegedly threatened Indiana Pacers staff after a controversial game last season.
Morant returned from his suspension last month where he dropped 34 points and scored the game-winning shot to propel the Grizzlies past the New Orleans Pelicans. Morant has averaged 25.1 points, 8.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds in his nine games this season.
“They showed me a lot of support, they got on my nerves a little bit, but it was necessary,” Morant said of his circle during his suspension last month. “Of course, learn from me, in this world many of us make mistakes. When you make a mistake, you have another chance to fix it and reinvent yourself.
“I see, I hear a lot from them, 'Yeah, I'm proud of you, the way you're acting,' and I can see how it's changed them too… I think that's the good thing that happened during this process. I don’t actually wish it would happen, but we definitely took me, my family and my team to the next level.”
Ja Morant played just nine games this season and returned from his 25-game suspension last month. (Harry How/Getty Images)
The Grizzlies enter Tuesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks with a 13-23 record despite winning three of their last four games. They beat the Phoenix Suns 121-115 on Sunday without Morant, who was sidelined with right shoulder soreness.
This post will be updated with more information shortly.