Ja Morant’s 2025-26 NBA season was cut short due to a significant left elbow injury. Before being ruled out for the remainder of the campaign in March 2026, the Memphis Grizzlies point guard appeared in 20 games, averaging 19.5 points, 8.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per contest. The Grizzlies organization confirmed that Morant underwent a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection to treat a UCL sprain in his left elbow, with expectations for him to return by the start of the 2026-27 season.

Detailed 2025-26 Regular Season Statistics

The 2025-26 campaign was a challenging period for both Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. Despite showing flashes of his signature athleticism and elite playmaking, Morant struggled with consistency and health throughout the year.

Category 2025-26 Season Average
Games Played 20
Minutes Per Game 28.5
Points Per Game 19.5
Assists Per Game 8.1
Rebounds Per Game 3.3
Steals Per Game 1.0
Field Goal Percentage 41.0%
Free Throw Percentage 89.7%

During this 20-game stretch, Morant’s playmaking remained his most reliable asset, maintaining an elite assist average even as his scoring volume decreased compared to previous years. However, his field goal percentage took a noticeable dip to 41.0%, largely attributed to the lingering effects of earlier calf soreness and the eventual elbow injury that hampered his shooting motion.

Analyzing the 2026 UCL Injury and Recovery Timeline

In March 2026, the Memphis Grizzlies' medical staff determined that Morant’s left elbow UCL sprain required a cessation of play. The decision to use PRP injections rather than immediate invasive surgery suggests a focused approach on biological healing to preserve the long-term integrity of his shooting arm.

This injury marked the end of a difficult three-year stretch for Morant. From 2023 to 2026, the star guard appeared in only 79 total games. The Grizzlies' 25-57 finish in the 2025-26 season reflects the immense impact his absence had on the team's competitive standing. The organization remains optimistic, projecting a full recovery for the 2026-27 training camp.

Ja Morant Career Statistics Year-by-Year

Since entering the league as the No. 2 overall pick in 2019, Ja Morant has established himself as one of the most explosive offensive forces in basketball. Below is the comprehensive breakdown of his regular-season career stats.

Regular Season Career Averages

Season Team GP MIN PTS REB AST FG% 3P% FT%
2025-26 MEM 20 28.5 19.5 3.3 8.1 41.0 23.5 89.7
2024-25 MEM 50 30.4 23.2 4.1 7.3 45.4 30.9 82.4
2023-24 MEM 9 35.3 25.1 5.6 8.1 47.1 27.5 81.3
2022-23 MEM 61 31.9 26.2 5.9 8.1 46.6 30.7 74.8
2021-22 MEM 57 33.1 27.4 5.7 6.7 49.3 34.4 76.1
2020-21 MEM 63 32.6 19.1 4.0 7.4 44.9 30.3 72.8
2019-20 MEM 67 31.0 17.8 3.9 7.3 47.7 33.5 77.6
Career Total 327 31.7 22.4 4.6 7.4 46.6 31.1 77.3

Evolution of Play Style Through Data

  1. The Rookie Emergence (2019-20): Morant entered the league and immediately justified his draft stock, averaging nearly 18 points and over 7 assists. His efficiency was high for a rookie guard (47.7% FG).
  2. The All-NBA Peak (2021-23): During these seasons, Morant’s scoring skyrocketed to a career-high 27.4 PPG in 2021-22. This era was defined by his dominance in the paint, leading all guards in "points in the paint" for two consecutive seasons.
  3. The Playmaking Shift (2023-26): As defensive schemes focused more on stopping his drives, Morant’s assist numbers remained consistently high (peaking at 8.1 APG). However, his availability became the primary narrative as injury frequency increased.

NBA Playoff Statistics and Performance

Ja Morant’s reputation as a "big game" performer is supported by his elevated postseason metrics. He has historically increased his scoring and playmaking output when the stakes are highest.

Season GP MIN PTS REB AST STL FG%
2024-25 3 27.3 18.3 2.0 5.0 0.7 41.5
2022-23 5 37.4 24.6 6.8 7.0 1.8 42.5
2021-22 9 37.6 27.1 8.0 9.8 2.0 44.0
2020-21 5 40.6 30.2 4.8 8.2 0.4 48.7
Playoff Career 22 36.8 26.0 6.2 8.1 1.4 44.5

In the 2021 playoffs, Morant averaged over 30 points per game, joining an elite group of young players to accomplish such a feat in their first postseason appearance. His ability to facilitate remains evident in his 8.1 playoff career assist average.

Advanced Metrics and Impact Analysis

To understand Morant's true value beyond the box score, one must look at advanced stats like Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and Usage Percentage (USG%).

  • Career PER: 20.2 (League average is typically 15.0).
  • Career Usage Rate: 30.6% (Indicating he is the primary engine of the Memphis offense).
  • Win Shares (WS): Despite limited games recently, Morant has contributed 24.1 Win Shares over his career, with a peak of 6.7 in the 2021-22 season.
  • True Shooting Percentage (TS%): His career TS% sits at 55.7%, which is respectable for a high-volume guard who scores primarily through drives and free throws.

Career Achievements and Awards

Ja Morant’s statistical dominance has translated into numerous accolades during his first six years in the NBA:

  • NBA Rookie of the Year (2020)
  • 2x NBA All-Star (2022, 2023)
  • All-NBA Second Team (2022)
  • NBA Most Improved Player (2022)
  • NBA All-Rookie First Team (2020)

Why Morant's Availability is the Key Metric for 2026-27

Looking ahead to the next season, the most important "stat" for Ja Morant will not be points or assists, but games played. The Grizzlies' transition from a contender to a lottery team coincides directly with Morant’s time on the injury report.

Statistically, the Grizzlies' winning percentage with Morant on the floor versus off the floor shows a stark contrast. In his peak seasons, the team operated at a 50+ win pace when he was healthy. To return to the elite tier of the Western Conference, Morant will need to leverage the 2026 offseason to rehabilitate his elbow and strengthen his lower body to prevent the calf and hip issues that plagued his 2025-25 campaign.

Summary of Ja Morant's Performance

Ja Morant remains a generational talent whose career trajectory has been temporarily flattened by health setbacks. While his 2025-26 stats (19.5 PPG, 8.1 APG) show a slight decline in efficiency, they also prove that his elite vision and ability to run an offense remain intact. The primary focus for fans and the Memphis front office will be his recovery from the UCL sprain and his ability to sustain a full 82-game workload in the coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What were Ja Morant's stats before his 2026 injury?

In the 20 games he played during the 2025-26 season, Morant averaged 19.5 points, 8.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 41.0% from the field and 89.7% from the free-throw line.

How many games did Ja Morant miss in the last three seasons?

Between the 2023-24 and 2025-26 seasons, Ja Morant played in a total of 79 games, missing a significant portion of the schedule due to various injuries, including a shoulder surgery in 2024 and an elbow UCL sprain in 2026.

What is Ja Morant’s career high in points?

Ja Morant scored a career-high 52 points against the San Antonio Spurs on February 28, 2022. In playoff action, his career high is 47 points, achieved against the Golden State Warriors in May 2022.

What is the nature of Ja Morant's current injury?

As of March 2026, Morant is recovering from a UCL sprain in his left elbow. He received a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection to facilitate healing and is expected to be ready for the 2026-27 NBA season.

Has Ja Morant ever averaged a double-double?

While he has not averaged a double-double over a full season, he has come close in several years, particularly in assists. His 2025-26 and 2023-24 seasons both saw him average 8.1 assists per game.