Morant likely to be game-time decision for Grizzlies
LOS ANGELES – Memphis guard Ja Morant has bruised his already-injured right hand and his status for Wednesday's NBA playoff contest (Thursday, Manila time) will be a "game-time decision," Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
An MRI exam showed the soft-tissue injury was aggravated by Morant late in the fourth quarter of the Grizzlies' 128-112 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Sunday's opener of their first round best-of-seven series.
"Symptoms are slightly improving from the other night," Jenkins said. "He's going to be a game-time decision."
Morant, whose hand was already taped after being injured the week before, leaped into the air driving to the basket against Lakers big man Anthony Davis and after their collision fell awkwardly, injuring his hand.
Morant rose, grabbed his hand and ran off the court to the locker room.
Morant dribbled and took some shots with his right hand during a Tuesday workout, but the practice offered no clear answers on Morant's availability for the rematch with the Lakers.
"He's progressing," Jenkins said. "He is dribbling and shooting as much as he can.
"He has got some pain he's dealing with, so it's kind of a tolerance thing. He has got some stiffness in his hand that he's kind of slowly getting through."
Morant said after the game that his ability to play in game two was "in jeopardy" with Jenkins saying x-rays were negative but Morant was in pain.
Morant scored 18 points against the Lakers before his early exit.
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