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Michael C. Wright, ESPN Staff Writer
SAN ANTONIO — The Memphis Grizzlies ruled out star Ja Morant for Friday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs due to right foot soreness.
Morant missed his 18th game this season, making him ineligible to win regular-season NBA awards; players must play at least 65 games to qualify.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins mentioned that Morant had been nursing a foot sprain since a Jan. 9 loss at home to the Houston Rockets.
“Last game against the Spurs he got tangled up, had a little collision there with a Spurs player that really worsened it,” Jenkins said.
Morant, 25, led Memphis with a team-high 21 points and 12 assists Wednesday in a 129-115 victory over the Spurs.
Morant tested the sore foot early Friday, but Jenkins said the two-time All-Star was “trending towards out.” Morant tested the foot again during pregame warmups, before the Grizzlies staff made the decision to sit him.
Memphis is expected to lean more on Scotty Pippen Jr. at point guard with Morant out.
The Grizzlies (26-15) are 10-7 with Morant out of the lineup. A sixth-year veteran, he is averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 assists and 1.3 steals this season.