Ja Morant exits NBA's COVID-19 protocols. Here's what's next for Grizzlies star to return
The Memphis Grizzlies expected Ja Morant to return from the NBA health and safety protocols and they got their wish Saturday.
Morant was not listed in protocols on the team's injury report Saturday. However, the star guard is out for Sunday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers (5:00 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast) with the sprained left knee he suffered on Nov. 26.
It's still a positive for the Grizzlies, who have won 10 of 11 games without Morant. After 10 days in isolation, the minimum required by the NBA for a positive COVID-19 test, Morant can re-join the team in person in facilities and at games, where he can sit on the bench.
So what's next? There are more steps Morant must take before he suits up, according to the NBA's protocols.
First, he has to be cleared by a team and league physician. If he was asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, Morant wouldn't need a cardiac screening and can immediately return to competition.
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If Morant had moderate-to-severe symptoms, he'd need to be screened and then observed between 48 and 72 hours before being cleared by the Grizzlies' consulting cardiologist.
Coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters Friday that Morant was feeling well and didn't mention any symptoms.
"Everything we're getting from how his body's feeling from the injury and all that stuff, he's feeling great," Jenkins said.
The other concern is Morant's fitness after suffering a sprained left knee Nov. 26. He was expected to miss at least two weeks and was out for 12 days before entering protocols.
Since he was isolating, he couldn't rehab at the Grizzlies' facilities. The last time reporters saw practice on Dec. 3, Morant did individual shooting drills while running around cones.
It's possible Morant will miss more games to test his knee. The Grizzlies play a back-to-back at home Sunday and Monday and it's unclear whether Morant will be ready by the second game.
After that, the Grizzlies head on a three-game road trip starting Thursday at the Warriors and then a back-to-back starting Dec. 26 against the Kings and Suns. The Grizzlies then host the Lakers on Dec. 29.
It's possible the team could want him to return at home, but Morant could also want to return as soon as possible. Either way, the Grizzlies will exercise caution knowing how important he is to the rest of their season.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant exits NBA's COVID-19 protocols
