“This program has ever been blessed with Ja Morant,” Jeff Bidwell, the voice of the Racers, said after Ja Morant was inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame. The hooper showed his deep connection to his college roots, which shines through in his latest Nike Ja 2 sneakers, a tribute to his alma mater. But just as Morant celebrates his past, his employers, the Memphis Grizzlies are grappling with their own set of challenges for the upcoming season, which is set to be a tough one after a competitive trade window all across.

GG Jackson II’s injury update, reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, quoted, “Grizzlies’ GG Jackson II will miss at least three months after undergoing surgery to repair a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot.” This brutal injury has worsened the Grizzlies’ growing list of challenges. Jackson got injured while attempting a layup in Texas last week.

GG has been a standout player for Memphis. Selected in the second round of the 2023 draft, he quickly made his presence felt, averaging 14.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in 48 appearances, with 18 starts. Jackson received second-team NBA All-Rookie recognition, despite the Grizzlies’ difficulties last season.

The tough situation has sparked some commentary, as a fan comment that read, “This is why teams don’t let you do whatever you want in the offseason,” reflecting the overall frustration over the string of misfortunes that have plagued Memphis.

On the other hand, as Ja Morant celebrates his journey, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges he’s faced. During the 2023-24 season, after serving a 25-game suspension for posing with a gun during a livestream on Instagram in his car, Morant returned to play just 9 games before suffering a torn labrum in practice, extending his stay on the sidelines. So, the recently honored star comes with his set of problems too.

What are the other health issues that the Grizzlies are facing?

Memphis Grizzlies’ injury crisis: A threat to the new season, aside from Ja Morant’s college honor

As the Memphis Grizzlies gear up for the 2024-25 season, they are contending with a series of injury concerns that could affect their performance. Key players like Luke Kennard and Cam Spencer are listed as ‘day-to-day’ for the start of the season because of knee and ankle issues, respectively. Similarly, Zach Edey’s ankle injury, reported on July 21, has him marked as ‘probable’, raising questions about his availability early in the season.

Looking back to April, several significant injuries were reported. Derrick Rose, Marcus Smart, and Brandon Clarke are all on their way to recovery. Rose’s groin issue, Smart’s finger injury, and Clarke’s hand injury are all expected to be resolved by the season’s start. In addition, Desmond Bane is currently handling a back injury, and Jaren Jackson Jr. is facing a quadriceps problem. Knee and heel injuries have affected Vince Williams Jr. and John Konchar, but they are expected to also recover before the season starts.

With the Grizzlies grappling with numerous injury concerns, the upcoming season will test their resilience. Managing these injuries will be crucial for Memphis to maintain performance and compete effectively.

If key players can return to full strength and stay healthy, the Grizzlies have the potential to turn these challenges into a driving force for success. However, as they face a rocky start, will they be able to adapt and rise above these setbacks to make a push for the playoffs? What do you think?

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.