Deadspin: Blazers’ Morant exits against former team with hamstring injury
Morant leaves in fourth quarter
Morant exited with 7:46 remaining while playing against his former Memphis teammates. Portland announced shortly afterward that he would not return because of the left hamstring injury. He finished with 14 points and three assists in 23 minutes of action. Memphis won the contest by a score of 124-103.
A recent move to Portland
Morant, 27, spent seven seasons with the Grizzlies before being traded to Portland on June 29. The deal sent forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis. Thursday’s matchup brought him onto the court against the franchise that selected him in the 2019 draft. Memphis chose Morant with the second overall pick.
Rise to NBA stardom
Morant quickly became a prominent player after entering the league. He earned NBA Rookie of the Year honors for the 2019-20 season. In 2021-22, he averaged a career-best 27.4 points per game. That season, he was also named the NBA’s Most Improved Player.
Key points
- Ja Morant left Portland’s game against Memphis with a left hamstring injury.
- Memphis defeated Portland 124-103.
- Morant joined Portland in a June 29 trade after seven seasons with the Grizzlies.