Memphis star level guard Ja Morant was cleared to play within the Grizzlies’ Friday play-in sport in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks about half-hour earlier than the scheduled tipoff.
Morant sprained his proper ankle on Tuesday in Memphis’ 121-116 street loss in opposition to the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.
Morant reportedly underwent an MRI examination on Thursday and acquired a number of pain-killing injections in current days.
“I do know he is doing all the pieces potential to have the ability to play,” Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo mentioned previous to the Friday sport.
Earlier than Morant was cleared, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd mentioned, “We’re ready to see Ja. He is a gamer. He is a tricky particular person. … We consider that he will go.”
Morant was harm when he landed on the foot of Golden State’s Buddy Hield with 4:25 left within the third quarter.
Morant, 25, later returned to the sport and wound up scoring 22 factors.
A two-time All-Star, Morant averaged 23.2 factors, 7.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 50 regular-season video games this season.
The winner of the Friday contest would be the No. 8 seed within the Western Convention and can face the top-seeded Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder within the first spherical of the playoffs.
–Subject Stage Media