Ja Morant Ruled Out for Grizzlies vs Warriors Showdown
The Memphis Grizzlies will be without their superstar guard Ja Morant for the highly anticipated February 25, 2026 contest against the Golden State Warriors. Morant has been officially ruled out due to a left elbow UCL sprain, with medical staff confirming he is not a game-time decision and will miss this critical Western Conference matchup.
Injury Details and Recovery Timeline
Morant continues to rehabilitate his injured elbow and is expected to remain sidelined for at least two additional weeks before undergoing another evaluation. The dynamic point guard has been out of action since mid-January following a setback in his recovery process. The Grizzlies organization is taking a cautious approach, prioritizing his long-term health over rushing his return to the court.
This absence significantly impacts Memphis's offensive capabilities, as Morant serves as both the primary ball handler and leading scorer. The team must now devise strategies to compensate for his missing production and playmaking abilities.
Memphis Grizzlies Injury Report
The Grizzlies face extensive injury challenges beyond Morant's absence. Their complete unavailable list includes:
- Ja Morant - Out (left elbow UCL sprain)
- Zach Edey - Out (left ankle stress reaction)
- Santi Aldama - Out (right knee injury management)
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - Out (right fifth finger surgery recovery)
- Brandon Clarke - Out (right calf strain)
- Cedric Coward - Out (right posterior capsule issue)
- Kyle Anderson - Questionable (right knee patellar tendinitis)
Available players who will need to step up include Jaren Jackson Jr., GG Jackson II, Scotty Pippen Jr., Ty Jerome, John Konchar, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Jaylen Wells, and Cam Spencer. Jackson Jr. is expected to shoulder the primary scoring responsibility, while Pippen Jr. and Jerome will share increased ball-handling duties.
Golden State Warriors Injury Situation
The Warriors face their own significant injury challenges, creating a matchup between two depleted rosters. Golden State's unavailable players include:
- Stephen Curry - Out (right knee injury)
- Kristaps Porzingis - Out (illness)
- De'Anthony Melton - Out
- L.J. Cryer - Out (hamstring)
- Nate Williams - Out
- Jimmy Butler III - Out
- Draymond Green - Questionable (back issue)
With Curry unavailable, the Warriors will rely heavily on ball movement and perimeter shooting from available players including Buddy Hield, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Moses Moody, and Gary Payton II.
Projected Starting Lineups and Game Implications
The expected starting lineups reflect both teams' injury challenges:
Warriors: De'Anthony Melton, Pat Spencer, Moses Moody, Gui Santos, Draymond Green (if available)
Grizzlies: Scotty Pippen Jr., Cam Spencer, Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson II, Olivier-Maxence Prosper
These lineups remain subject to change based on final availability, particularly regarding Draymond Green's questionable status.
The absence of both Morant and Curry transforms this game's dynamic, shifting focus toward execution, defensive intensity, and which team can maximize contributions from their remaining roster. Memphis must implement an offense-by-committee approach without their primary creator and transition threat, while Golden State needs to generate scoring without their top offensive weapon.
This February 25, 2026 matchup carries significant implications for the Western Conference play-in race, with both franchises navigating challenging injury situations that test their depth and adaptability.
