NEW YORK — Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant left the Barclays Center court area in a wheelchair Monday night after spraining his left ankle in the second quarter.
The team announced he would not return to the game.
Morant went up to attempt to block Brooklyn Nets forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot‘s shot and landed awkwardly on Luwawu-Cabarrot’s foot.
Morant didn’t put any weight on his left leg as he hopped over to the sidelines, before collapsing next to the Grizzlies’ bench. He rolled around on the floor in pain while the team’s training staff came over to him.
After a few minutes, a staff member rolled a wheelchair over and Morant’s teammates helped him into the chair. Morant was immediately wheeled back to the locker room.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Morant returned to the Grizzlies’ bench wearing a protective boot on his left leg. He limped into the team’s huddle during timeouts and doled out high-fives to his teammates.
The reigning Rookie of the Year has gotten off to an impressive start through the Grizzlies’ first two games, averaging 36 points and 8 assists.
