MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Ja Morant was in the starting five in Friday night’s NBA Play-In Tournament game against the Dallas Mavericks in Memphis, a huge boost for the Grizzlies as they seek to advance to the first round.
Morant turned his right ankle with about 5 minutes remaining in the third quarter of a loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. He spent several minutes on the floor and seemed to be in considerable pain. He was able to return for a free throw, but left the court for treatment. He returned in the fourth quarter and finished with 22 points.
Morant never went to the locker room, and the team said it was not planning to do X-rays Tuesday.
After the game, Morant told reporters: “I’m playing. That’s basically the answer I’m giving. It ain’t nothing different.”
With the loss, the Grizzlies moved to Friday’s game against the Mavericks for the No. 8 and final seed in the West.
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The NBA playoffs begin Saturday.
(This story was updated with new information Friday night.)
