Ja Morant’s Comeback Cut Short by Ankle Injury Versus Clippers

Memphis star was not listed on injury report before tip-off

Ja Morant laced up for the Memphis Grizzlies against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 15, 2025, ready to pick up right where he left off. Fresh off shaking off a right calf strain, Morant had just dazzled in his previous game against the Utah Jazz, dropping 21 points and dishing out 10 assists in only 25 minutes. Heading into the Clippers matchup, there wasn’t a whisper of injury—no red flags, no caution tape, nothing to suggest trouble was brewing. Around the league, teams dealing with sudden uncertainty—like the Clippers during a period of internal tension that ultimately led them to send Chris Paul home—know how quickly plans can unravel.

But basketball, as they say, can be a cruel mistress. In the fourth quarter, Morant limped off with an ankle injury, leaving fans and teammates alike holding their breath. Up until that moment, he’d shown no signs of his earlier calf woes—just pure, unfiltered Ja. As for the ankle, the Grizzlies are keeping their cards close to the vest; details on the severity are still under wraps. Injuries like this often ripple beyond a single game, much like the growing rift between Chris Paul and the Clippers’ coaching staff reshaped expectations in Los Angeles earlier this season.

The Grizzlies’ injury report is starting to look like a roll call at a doctor’s office. Zach Edey is still out with an ankle injury, expected to be on the shelf for about a month. Ty Jerome is nursing a calf strain. Javon Small is hobbling around with turf toe. Brandon Clarke is on the mend from a knee injury. Scotty Pippen Jr. won’t be back until mid-January thanks to a stubborn toe, and John Konchar is out with a thumb injury. If there were frequent flyer miles for trips to the trainer’s room, this squad would be platinum by now.

The Clippers aren’t exactly skating by on good health either. James Harden came into the game as questionable with a left calf contusion—never a good sign when your star is limping before the opening tip. Nicolas Batum (illness) and Jordan Miller (back tightness) were also game-time decisions, while Derrick Jones Jr. was ruled out with a knee injury. Bradley Beal watched from the sidelines, sidelined by a hip problem. It’s safe to say both teams are shuffling their lineups like a Vegas card dealer, all while front offices keep one eye on the future and early evaluations of top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft class.

Tip-off was at 10:30 PM Eastern at the Intuit Dome, with the Clippers entering as 3.5-point favorites. The over/under was set at 227.5 points—a number that might make you sweat if you’re the betting type. With both teams patching together their rotations, Morant’s recovery is now the elephant in the room for Memphis fans.

Stay tuned for more updates on player status and game results. As always, we’ll keep you posted as soon as the dust settles and the news rolls in.