Ja Morant, the star of the Memphis Grizzlies, only played nine games after serving a 25-game suspension earlier this season.

The Grizzlies declared on Monday that Morant will be absent for the remainder of the 2023-2024 season due to a right shoulder labrum tear.

The @memgrizz shared the following medical update: pic.twitter.com/Cr7xKj1Wm4

— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) January 9, 2024

His season was effectively over before it even started. Following a challenging start to the year, Memphis struggled, managing only a 6-19 record without their star player, Ja Morant. Furthermore, they faced a spate of injuries among several players, resulting in six consecutive losses at the start of the season.

Upon Morant’s comeback, the trajectory of the Grizzlies underwent a significant transformation, improving to a 6-3 record with Morant in the lineup. The team won four consecutive games against the Pelicans (twice), Pacers, and Hawks, underscoring Morant’s crucial role in the team. In his first game back, he delivered a game-winning performance to secure victory over New Orleans.

Ja Morant x Allen Iverson 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FPCQecsq8B

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 9, 2024

The prospects of winning the championship took a drastic turn following Morant’s injury.

In just nine games, he made a monumental impact on the team. With his exceptional athleticism, Morant displayed the ability to score and facilitate in various ways, drawing comparisons to Allen Iverson on several occasions.

In his brief stint, the former Racer averaged 25.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 8.1 assists with a 47.1% field goal shooting. He registered a season-high 31 points in a thrilling 116-115 overtime victory against the Pelicans on Dec. 26. Most recently, he contributed 21 points, one steal, one block, seven rebounds, and seven assists in their triumph over the Lakers.

Their odds of clinching the NBA Title changed dramatically after Morant’s suspension in June due to conduct detrimental to the league. Ahead of the season commencement, Memphis had +2500 odds to win the championship. Now, with both Steven Adams and Morant sidelined, oddsmakers are recognizing the impact of these injuries.

Notably, Memphis’ current odds to win the Larry O’Brien trophy stand at +40000, placing them in the bottom third of the NBA.

With Adams and Morant out, the Grizzlies are confronted with a significant predicament. In the absence of Brandon Clarke and Derrick Rose indefinitely, the leadership of the team is a pressing concern. After acquiring Marcus Smart in the offseason, the question arises whether the Grizzlies will retain him.

💙

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) January 9, 2024

Possessing a 13-23 record, Memphis secured victories in their last two games against the Lakers and the Suns. At the midway point of the season, the outlook for the rest of their campaign seems rather gloomy.

Confirming the injury, the team revealed that Morant will undergo surgery to repair the labrum tear in his right shoulder.

While this season spells disappointment for Morant, the team anticipates that he “is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-2025 season.” It’s unfortunate news from the NBA, as his comeback will have to wait.

Morant appeared to address the injury in a solemn social media post on Tuesday morning. Prior to that, he posted a blue heart on Jan 8.

What lies ahead for the Grizzlies?

get the JOB done.

⭐️ https://t.co/4OjofQp6CN pic.twitter.com/pOpkZFwQWy

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 8, 2024

While this setback is a blow for Memphis, there may be a silver lining. If we look at the trajectory before Morant’s return, it seems unlikely that Memphis will make a playoff run. However, despite this, the Play-in tournament remains a possibility, and Memphis could potentially secure a high draft pick. Only five years ago, Morant was drafted at No. 2 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Grizzlies.

Currently, Memphis ranks No 4 in the Southwest Division and No.13 in the Western Conference. At present, Marcus Smart, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane constitute the core players of the team. Bane, now in his 4th NBA season, is recording a career-high average of 24.2 points and 5.4 assists per game. Jackson Jr., in his 6th year, is also establishing a career high of 21.6 points.

pic.twitter.com/JVufeLKSKO

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 8, 2024

The contributions of Jackson Jr. and Bane are undoubtedly noteworthy. These two players, who could be considered for the All-Star selection, will continue to develop and improve while Morant is sidelined. Besides Aldama, not a single player is averaging points in double figures for the Grizzlies halfway through the season, as they have the lowest points average in the NBA, with 107.8.

Renowned for his defensive abilities, Jackson Jr. has displayed considerable prowess on the offensive end. He delivered an impressive 28-point performance against the Suns and is averaging 27.6 points in the last three games, including 31 against the Lakers.

With a tough schedule ahead, 26 of their 46 matchups will be against teams with a .500 or better win percentage. Looking back, Memphis finished as the No.2 seed, and it’s intriguing to contemplate how dominant this team could become next year with a healthy roster. Just a season ago, Memphis notched 51 wins, securing the second spot in the Western Conference, behind only the Denver Nuggets.

At just 24 years old, Morant holds a career average of 22.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. While the future looks promising, Memphis will soon put this season behind them and focus on building when their star player is back to full health.