Ja Morant Out vs. Celtics with Ankle Soreness

Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant has been ruled out for Wednesday night's game against the Boston Celtics due to left ankle soreness, the team announced, marking the latest setback for a player and franchise mired in early-season turmoil.

Morant played 33 minutes in Tuesday's 133-120 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, contributing 16 points on 4-of-14 shooting and 10 assists for his fourth double-double of the season. However, he committed eight turnovers, extending his total to 29 over the past five games, and struggled from beyond the arc, going 2-for-6. The defeat marked the Grizzlies' second straight loss and their fifth consecutive setback in November, dropping their record to 2-9 overall. Memphis had snapped a four-game skid with a win over the Dallas Mavericks on November 7 but has since faltered amid injuries to multiple players, including Brandon Clarke, Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Javon Small. Rookie center Zach Edey, recovering from left ankle surgery, received an upgrade to questionable for the Boston matchup, signaling his potential season debut.

Morant's absence stems from soreness that surfaced after the Knicks game, where he...