Tim McMahonESPN staff writer2 minutes to read
Ja Morant is out of the match with a hand injury
Grizzlies star Ja Morant leaves Game 1 early against the Lakers after suffering a hand injury in the fourth quarter.
Memphis – star grizzlies Ja Morant screamed in agony as he ran off the court with a right hand in the middle of the last quarter of Game 1 Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers and didn’t come back.
Memphis trailed by four goals when Morant was knocked out and lost 128-112, as the Lakers finished the game at 23-11 after Memphis lost its starting point guard.
Morant was playing with this hand wrapped as a result of an injury he sustained during the last week of the regular season. He injured his hand again when it hit the field with 5:48 remaining in the fourth quarter where he fell after he lunged at Lakers man Anthony Davis. Morant attempted to attack the basket and finish off Davis but was called for an offensive foul.
After staying on the ground for several seconds, Morant rose to his feet and immediately ran past the Grizzlies’ bench into the locker room. Morant was wearing a more extensive black wrap on his right hand when he returned to the bench for the Grizzlies but did not return to the game.
Morant was not included in the Grizzlies’ injury report entering the game. Coach Taylor Jenkins said before the game that Morant would not have restrictions due to the sore hand.
Memphis will host the Lakers for Game 2 on Wednesday night.
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