Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (hip) is listed as doubtful to play on Saturday vs. Chicago, but the plan is for him to get workouts in during the coming days and potentially return early on in Memphis’ four-game homestand that begins on Monday, per Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com (Twitter link).
As Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian observes (via Twitter), the fact that Morant is considered doubtful for Saturday instead of being ruled out entirely suggests he’s getting closer and that a Monday return is in play.
Morant has been sidelined since November 6, but the Grizzlies have held their own in his absence, winning four of seven games. They’re 9-7 overall this season, putting them in a three-way tie with the Suns and Clippers for the No. 6 spot in the West entering Friday’s action.
Here are a few more injury-related updates from across the NBA:
- The 2-12 Sixers will be down two stars on Friday vs. Brooklyn as they look to snap a five-game losing streak. Center Joel Embiid has been ruled out due to left knee injury management, tweets Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports. He’ll join forward Paul George (knee bone bruise) on the sidelines, with third star Tyrese Maxey active but still on a minutes limit.
- Hornets forward Miles Bridges stepped on a foot and aggravated his right knee bone bruise on Tuesday, according to the team (Twitter link). Bridges, who missed Thursday’s game, will remain on the shelf a little longer. The Hornets say he’ll be reevaluated one week after suffering the injury, which would be next Tuesday (Nov. 26).
- Injured Suns stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal were full participants in Friday’s practice and did 3-on-3 work, head coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters, including Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. The hope is that Durant and Beal – both out due to left calf strains – will be able to play 5-on-5 on Sunday and be activated for Tuesday’s game vs. the Lakers, Rankin adds.
- Kings two-way guard Mason Jones sustained a right hamstring strain in a G League game on Wednesday, according to the team (Twitter link via James Ham of The Kings Beat). Jones, who has seen limited action in three games for Sacramento this season, will be reevaluated in seven-to-10 days.