Memphis Grizzlies Injury Report: Ja Morant ruled out for game vs. OKC Thunder (Dec. 29)

The Memphis Grizzlies and OKC Thunder will meet for the first time this season on Sunday. This will be the first of four regular-season matchups between them in 2024-25. They met thrice last season, with OKC sweeping the series 3-0.

These are the top two teams in the Western Conference. OKC is first with a 25-5 record while Memphis is second with a 22-10 record. The Thunder are on a 10-game win streak, the longest in the league. The Grizzlies could have a tough time ending the streak, as they will be without several key players like Ja Morant.

Morant has been ruled out because of a shoulder injury. He sustained the injury during the third quarter of Friday’s 132-124 win against the New Orleans Pelicans. Morant took a hard shot from New Orleans center Daniel Theis before being helped to the locker room. While he returned to the bench, he was ruled out for the rest of the game.

While there's no timeline on when Ja Morant will return, the Memphis Grizzlies have done relatively well in his absence this season, going 8-4 in 12 games.

Marcus Smart, meanwhile, suffered a “partial tear of the proximal extensor hood of his right index finger,” as per ESPN, and will be out for two weeks at least. Santi Aldama is week-to-week with a left ankle sprain. Vince Williams Jr. (right ankle sprain) and GG Jackson II (foot surgery) are out as well, while Brandon Clarke is questionable with a knee injury.

With so many key players out, the Grizzlies will rely on Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Zach Edey to upset the OKC Thunder.

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How and where to watch Memphis Grizzlies vs. OKC Thunder?

The Memphis Grizzlies vs. OKC Thunder matchup is one of six games scheduled for Sunday.

The game will tip off at 7 p.m. EST from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Local coverage of the game will be on FanDuel Sports Network - Oklahoma and FanDuel Sports Network - Southeast - Memphis. Fans can also stream it live on NBA League Pass and fuboTV.