Morant misses 18th game; out of awards running
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Michael C. Wright, ESPN Staff Writer
SAN ANTONIO — The Memphis Grizzlies were without star Ja Morant for Friday night’s 140-112 win against the San Antonio Spurs due to right foot soreness.
Morant missed his 18th game this season, making him ineligible to win regular-season NBA awards; players must play at least 65 games to qualify.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins mentioned that Morant had been nursing a foot sprain since a Jan. 9 loss at home to the Houston Rockets.
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“Last game against the Spurs he got tangled up, had a little collision there with a Spurs player that really worsened it,” Jenkins said.
Morant, 25, led Memphis with a team-high 21 points and 12 assists Wednesday in a 129-115 victory over the Spurs.
Morant tested the sore foot early Friday, but Jenkins said the two-time All-Star was “trending towards out.” Morant tested the foot again during pregame warmups, before the Grizzlies staff made the decision to sit him.
The Grizzlies (27-15) improved to 11-7 with Morant out of the lineup. A sixth-year veteran, he is averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 assists and 1.3 steals this season.
