Is Ja Morant playing tonight? Injury report for Game 3 vs Lakers [UPDATED]

Is Ja Morant playing tonight for the Grizzlies against the Lakers in Game 3? The latest injury report suggests the star guard will test his injured hand.

Update: The Grizzlies announced Ja Morant will start Game 3, per Shams Charania.

Ja Morant injured his hand in a fall late in Game 1 of the first-round matchup between the Grizzlies and the Lakers. He’s trying to make it back in time for Game 3.

Game 2 was a no-go because Morant aggravated a preexisting bruise in his hand. Memphis was able to overcome his absence, besting the Lakers to even the series at 1-1. They survived one game without their star player but they don’t want to have to try their luck again.

Morant’s status for Saturday night’s action is going to go down to the wire, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

“Ja Morant is going to take this right up to game time. He, I’m told, is going to go out, warm-up with that injured right hand and see if he can make his return tonight. I’m told he did not do much with that right hand at shootaround this morning. There’s still a measure of pain in that hand,” Wojnarowski said.

Is Ja Morant playing tonight? Injury report for Game 3 vs Lakers

While there are positive signs pointing towards Morant being able to play in Game 3, there’s nothing official on that. He’s going to try. That’s all we know.

Morant had 18 points, six rebounds, and two assists while shooting 8-of-14 from the field in Game 1 before his injury knocked him out of the game. Jaren Jackson led the way with 31 points, five rebounds and four assists while Desmond Bane pitched in 22 points, five rebounds and six assists that night.

It was a team effort to get a victory in Game 2. Xavier Tillman led the team with 22 points and 13 rebounds while Jackonson and Bane came away with 18 and 13 points respectively. Luke Kennard came off the bench for 13 points. Meanwhile, Dillon Brooks picked a fight with LeBron James, which is sure to provide an intriguing undercurrent to Game 3.

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