Ja Morant Misses 18th Game, Ineligible for Awards

Ja Morant will miss his 18th game of the season due to right foot soreness, making him ineligible for regular-season NBA awards, including All-NBA status and the MVP award, as players must participate in at least 65 games. Despite his absence, the Memphis Grizzlies have maintained a competitive record of 26-15, currently sitting third in the Western Conference. Morant, averaging 21.4 points and 7.5 assists per game this season, has been a crucial player for the team, which performs better when he is on the court. Coach Taylor Jenkins noted that Morant's foot issue worsened following a recent game against the Spurs where he sustained a collision. The Grizzlies are expected to rely on Scotty Pippen Jr. to fill the point guard position in Morant's absence. While Morant's injury is disappointing for his individual accolades, he remains eligible for the upcoming NBA All-Star game.