On January 9, Beijing time, the Grizzlies officially announced that Morant suffered a dislocation of his right shoulder during training on Saturday local time, and an MRI examination found that there was a tear in the labrum (the shoulder joint between the arm bone and the shoulder blade). He will undergo surgery for the season and is expected to make a full recovery before the start of the 24-25 season.
Morant, who was suspended for the first 25 games of the season, returned to play nine games after the ban was lifted, averaging 25.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game. In the nine games he played, the Grizzlies were 6-3. Just when experts and fans were optimistic about the Grizzlies' prospect of rising, the team suffered another blow, and Morant's season reimbursement almost announced that the Grizzlies had left the playoffs early this season. Medical expert Jeffries said Morant's injury usually requires a six-month recovery period.
The Grizzlies are 6-3 or 66.7 percent this season with Morant and 7-20 without Morant, or 25.9 percent.
Bobby Marks added that the Grizzlies will be able to claim a $12.4 million injury exception, but must do so by Jan. 15 local time, after the Grizzlies had already received a $6.3 million injury exception for Steven Adams' season reimbursement.
In addition to Morant, the Grizzlies' Adams and Clarke also suffered serious injuries that were reimbursed for the season. The absence of the three main players will continue to affect the Grizzlies' record. So far this season, the Grizzlies are 13-23 and only in 13th place in the West.