Grizzlies guard Ja Morant ruled out versus Nuggets due to illness

Published Dec. 28, 2023 8:56 p.m. ET

Associated Press

DENVER (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been ruled out of Thursday night's game at the Denver Nuggets due to illness.

Memphis has won all four games in which Morant has played since returning from a 25-game suspension at the start of the season. He is averaging 28.8 points since his debut on Dec. 19, when he capped a 34-point performance by hitting the game-winning shot at New Orleans.

“We are just going to rely on our depth tonight,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “We have been in this situation before from other circumstances at the start of the season. Next man up mentality, so we have it dialed up and ready for the guys to go out and compete tonight.”

Denver is without Aaron Gordon, who suffered lacerations on his face and hands resulting from dog bites suffered on Christmas.

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