Grizzlies coach: 'Really good chance' Ja Morant doesn't play in Game 4 vs. Warriors
Ja Morant is unlikely to play Monday night, according to Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins.
The Grizzlies are down 2-1 against the Golden State Warriors. Game 4 is set for 10 p.m. ET (TNT).
"He's got further evaluation going on with his knee, but from what I've been told around, there's probably a really good chance he doesn't play tomorrow," Jenkins said.
Morant was injured midway through the fourth quarter. He said again on Sunday afternoon that Morant's injury was triggered when Jordan Poole grabbed his knee.
"Nothing has changed from there, in terms of that was the play that trigged this," Jenkins said.
The Grizzlies played two long stretches this season without Morant. In that time, Tyus Jones was the primary ball handler and Desmond Bane assumed the backup point guard position. Memphis went 20-5 without Morant this season. It started 20-2 before losing its final three games. The last loss came against the Boston Celtics, when the Grizzlies rested their starters in the regular season finale.
"Obviously Ja has been out for a number of games and our guys stepped up beautifully," Jenkins said. "Obviously Tyus would step in a starting role. We just need to rally as a team and move forward and focus on Game 4."
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Morant is averaging 38.3 points and 8.3 assists in the first three games of the series. Jaren Jackson Jr. is scoring 20 points per game, but the next closest player is Ziaire Williams averaging 10.5.
The Grizzlies will need multiple players to step up if Morant doesn't play.
"If he's not able to go, we rally as a team, and that's what all we're focused on," Jenkins said.
Contact Damichael Cole at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter @damichaelc
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant unlikely to play in Game 4: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Warriors
