Ja Morant Leaves Game on Stretcher After Devastating Fall, Suffered Hip Injury

The Memphis Grizzlies’ playoff hopes took a devastating hit on Wednesday night—not just on the scoreboard, but also on the injury front—as star guard Ja Morant suffered a frightening fall during Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

With just over two minutes remaining in the second quarter, Morant charged toward the basket on a fast break, looking to extend Memphis’ growing lead. As he elevated for the layup, Thunder guard Luguentz Dort slipped while attempting to contest, inadvertently undercutting Morant. The result was a hard, awkward fall that saw Morant land squarely on his left hip.

Silence fell over the arena as Morant stayed down in obvious pain. The play was reviewed, but officials ultimately ruled it a common foul. Morant, ever the competitor, briefly returned to shoot his free throws before heading to the locker room. He would not return for the rest of the game, later appearing on the sidelines using crutches.

The team later confirmed that Morant sustained a left hip contusion. His availability for Game 4 remains uncertain, pending further medical evaluation.

At the time of the injury, Morant had already tallied 15 points and five assists in just 16 minutes. The Grizzlies had built a 29-point cushion, but their momentum collapsed after Morant’s exit. The Thunder mounted an impressive comeback, ultimately securing a 114–108 win to take a commanding 3–0 series lead.

Morant’s injury adds another layer of concern for Memphis, who now face elimination in Game 4 on Saturday. With their star player’s status in question and morale shaken, the Grizzlies will need a monumental effort to stay alive in the series.

Whether or not Morant returns, one thing is certain: this fall could be a turning point—not just in the series, but in the Grizzlies’ entire postseason narratives.