The Memphis Grizzlies will have to take on the powerhouse Oklahoma City Thunder without their young star.
Ja Morant will miss Sunday's game in Oklahoma City with an AC joint sprain, the team announced on Saturday.
The 25-year-old exited Friday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans after suffering a shoulder injury.
Morant was hurt when he crashed into hard but legal screen set by Daniel Theis during the third quarter. The collision sent Morant crashing to the floor in a way that led officials to initially whistle Theis for a foul before overturning that call on replay review.
Morant walked to the locker room to be examined and ultimately returned to the bench, but not to the game. He used his left arm to point triumphantly at teammates after they hit clutch shots in the final minutes.
Morant was able to dress on his own at his locker after the game in New Orleans. He appeared to be in good spirits and did not wear a sling. But he also continued to keep his right arm largely still and hanging by his side.
Morant has averaged about 21 points per game this season — a bit below his career average of about 24 points per game.
Earlier this season, Morant missed eight games with a posterior hip subluxation and multiple Grade 1 pelvic muscle strains. The Grizzlies (22-10) went 5-3 during that stretch.
Morant scored 25 points in New Orleans but had just one point in the second half before his injury. Still, the Grizzlies surpassed the 130-point threshold one night after scoring a franchise-record 155 points in a victory over the Raptors.
-- With files from the Associated Press
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