Sometimes the biggest story isn't who's playing—it's who's NOT playing.
The Memphis Grizzlies are suiting up against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 31, 2026, but they'll be doing it without their engine. Ja Morant, the electrifying point guard who makes Memphis's offense hum, is out with a UCL sprain in his left elbow.
The One-Two Punch Memphis Didn't Need
Here's how rough things have gotten for the Grizzlies:
Their January 25 game against Denver? Postponed. A massive winter storm tore through the region, and the NBA had to reschedule. That's four Memphis and Dallas-area games shuffled around because of weather.
Then came the Morant injury news. He'll miss at least three weeks, meaning he's out through the February 5 trade deadline. And here's the gut-punch: he had JUST returned from a calf injury, dropping 24 points in a London game against the Magic before this elbow issue flared up.
Why Morant Matters So Much
Take away Ja Morant, and you're not just removing points from the scoreboard. You're removing:
- The primary playmaker who creates shots for everyone else
- The guy who breaks down defenses off the dribble
- The emotional leader who sets Memphis's aggressive tone
Without him, the Grizzlies offense becomes predictable. Easy to defend. Stagnant.
The Pelicans See an Opportunity
New Orleans isn't a team you want to face shorthanded. They've got length, athleticism, and defensive versatility across their roster. Against a Morant-less Grizzlies team, those advantages become even more pronounced.
The Pelicans can aggressive on the perimeter without worrying about Morant blowing by them. They can help in the paint without getting burned by his kick-out passes. Every defensive scheme gets easier when number 12 isn't on the floor.
Prediction
Direction: Bearish Probability: 50% Horizon: 1 day (January 31, 2026) Answer: No
The Grizzlies face significant challenges without Ja Morant, their primary offensive catalyst and floor leader. His absence removes Memphis's most dynamic playmaker and reduces their ability to create efficient scoring opportunities, particularly in half-court settings. The Pelicans possess the roster construction to capitalize on this vulnerability through their length, defensive versatility, and transition scoring. Given Morant's expected absence through the trade deadline and the Grizzlies' recent disruption from winter storm postponements, New Orleans holds advantages in roster availability and momentum entering this matchup.