NBA Injury Report: Ja Morant questionable, Giannis Antetokounmpo probable and more updates on Rudy Gobert and Trae Young | January 16, 2023
NBA All-Star guard Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies has been officially listed as questionable for their game tonight against the Phoenix Suns. He is reportedly dealing with left hip soreness.
Morant didn’t play on Jan. 8 and 9 due to a hamstring injury but played in the Grizzlies’ last two games. Last Saturday, he saw action for 25 minutes in his team’s 130-112 rout of the Indiana Pacers. “G12” finished with 23 points, 10 assists and three rebounds.
.@memgrizz status report, Jan. 16 vs @Suns:
QUESTIONABLE
John Konchar - Non-COVID Illness
Ja Morant - LT Hip Soreness
OUT
Danny Green - LT Knee Surgery Recovery
Kenneth Lofton Jr. - NBA G League Two-Way Transfer
Over his past two games, the former NBA Most Improved Player of the Year winner is averaging 30.5 points, 7.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds in just 28.5 minutes.
The Grizzlies may keep Ja Morant sidelined as they will play against the injury-riddled Suns. Phoenix is missing the services of Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Cameron Johnson and Cameron Payne.
Tyus Jones could be in the starting lineup if Morant is unavailable.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks have upgraded Giannis Antetokounmpo to probable when they take on the Indiana Pacers tonight. The “Greek Freak” sat out the last two games due to left knee soreness. He has already missed several games this season via the same nagging issue.
However, the two-time NBA MVP has practiced with the Bucks and is expected to suit up tonight. Unless there’s another setback, he should be leading Milwaukee in trying to snap a two-game losing skid.
The Bucks have submitted their injury report for their MLK Day game against the Pacers.
OUT: Serge Ibaka, Joe Ingles, Khris Middleton
Probable:
Giannis Antetokounmpo (left knee soreness)
Jrue Holiday (right ankle sprain)
Bobby Portis (right quad contusion)
Over his last 10 games, Antetokounmpo has averaged 30.9 points, 14.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists. He has hit 50.2% of his field goal attempts but made only 18.2% of his shots from behind the arc.
If Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t available again tonight, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer will have to tinker with his lineup. Bobby Portis is also probable, so Budenholzer might have to go with Sandro Mamukelashvili to play the starting power forward spot.
Rudy Gobert: Right groin soreness; injured since January 14, 2023
Rudy Gobert played only 13 minutes in the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers last Saturday. He didn’t come out of the locker room to play in the second half as he injured his groin.
He is now questionable when the Timberwolves host the Utah Jazz tonight. The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner is averaging 13.6 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
Rudy Gobert is listed as questionable for Monday afternoon’s game against Utah with right groin soreness.
The French basketball star might miss out on a fourth straight NBA All-Star selection as he is playing below his usual standards. He remains, however, a big part of the Timberwolves’ campaign this season.
Naz Reid could have a bigger role for Minnesota tonight if Gobert is sidelined.
Trae Young: Left shoulder soreness; Injured since January 14, 2023
Trae Young is probable tonight for the Atlanta Hawks versus the Miami Heat. He is on the injury report due to left shoulder soreness. “Ice Trae” played 38 minutes in the Hawks’ 114-103 victory over the Toronto Raptors last Saturday.
The two-time NBA All-Star is expected to play tonight as the soreness he is dealing with is on his non-shooting shoulder.
An @emoryhealthcare injury report for tomorrow's game vs. Miami:
Trae Young (left shoulder soreness): Probable
Clint Capela (right calf strain): Questionable https://t.co/SxYBdU4gK8
Bogdan Bogdanovic and Aaron Holiday could see their minutes go up if Young is unexpectedly sidelined.