How Ja Morant's UCL Injury Impacts Memphis Grizzlies' 2026 NBA Championship Odds

On Saturday afternoon, another NBA star is sidelined by an injury—this time it's Ja Morant.

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies announced that Morant will miss approximately three weeks after sustaining a left elbow UCL sprain. Expected to make a full recovery per the team, how does the injury impact the Grizzlies' NBA Championship and Playoff hopes?

Morant originally sustained the injury during the Jan. 21 matchup against the Atlanta Hawks when he denied Dyson Daniels at the rim with a ferocious chase–down block.  He recorded 23 points, two rebounds, 12 assists, one steal, and three blocks in the matchup. The news comes after Morant was ruled out for Thursday's contest against the New Orleans Pelicans.

When asked about the play, Morant told WREG's Colin Cody, "I was too high, I hit [it] on the top of the shot clock. " When asked if it 'stings', Morant responded, "Yeah, real bad man. I haven't done that in about seven years... I did hit it on the backboard, it just was a little sting, like funny bone."

While Morant downplayed the injury, he will be set back for at least three weeks, joining Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo as top NBA stars to suffer significant injuries before the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline. Recently, Morant has been linked to several trade rumors.

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How Ja Morant's Injury Impacts Memphis Grizzlies' NBA Championship Betting Odds

• Current Western Conference Winner Betting Odds: +100000 (Caesars)
• NBA Current Championship Winner Betting Odds: +200000 (DraftKings)
• NBA Preseason Championship Betting Odds: +12500 (BetMGM)
• Betting Odds to make the NBA Playoffs: +1500 (FanDuel)

Morant will remain out through the NBA trade deadline, which ends at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 5.  Given his current state, this could affect the current market for Morant, if the Grizzlies wish to trade their franchise star. While his talent has never been in doubt, his injury history remains a significant concern overall.

It's been a disappointing season for Memphis, which sits No. 12 with an 18-25 record. Well outside playoff contention in a stacked Western Conference, losing Morant further decreases their chances of making the playoffs, let alone winning the 2026 NBA Championship.

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The Memphis Grizzlies' NBA Championship Chances Fall Following Ja Morant Injury

Currently priced at +1500 to make the playoffs, oddsmakers view Memphis as a long shot as a contender. Morant is expected to remain out of action until mid-February, which greatly hurts Memphis's chances of making a run.

With the injury, Memphis odds to miss the NBA playoffs have lengthened (-1000 FanDuel), and their title hopes are dwindling. Currently, the Grizzlies hold the seventh-worst odds (+200000 DraftKings) to win the 2026 NBA Championship, slightly ahead of the Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, and Pelicans.

As of October 2025, Memphis was priced at +12500 to win the 2026 NBA title on BetMGM...

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Will The Memphis Grizzlies Trade Ja Morant at the NBA Deadline Amid Injury News?

Limited to just 20 games this season, Morant has faced challenges when it comes to health consistency. An unfortunate theme of his career, Morant already missed six games due to a calf strain and 23 overall.  If anything, his iconic block over Dyson was a sign that a healthy Morant was returning to form.

Since being drafted by the Grizzlies No. 2 overall in 2019, Morant hasn't played over 67 games in his NBA tenure. In fact, he's played only 50 games over the last two seasons. With production taking a hit, he's averaging 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and one steal. Additionally, Morant is shooting a career-low 41% from the floor and 23.5% from beyond the arc. Still, Morant remains a fruitful player.

Things were on the rise, as Morant recorded back-to-back double-doubles against the Hawks and Magic this week.  And along with Morant, several Grizzlies have been sidelined by injuries, including Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke, and Ty Jerome.

Despite the level of talent around Morant, which includes Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jaylen Wells, the expectation for success hasn't added up on paper.  Having lost two straight games, the Grizzlies have dropped seven of their last 10. Outside the playoff bubble, Memphis is headed in the wrong direction.

Ja Morant's Trade Market

Despite all of Morant's injuries and suspensions, he's still the Grizzlies' leading scorer and is considered one of the most crafty, athletic point guards in the NBA. Morant was linked to trade rumors in early January, with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, and Sacramento Kings mentioned as possible destinations.

With the recent injury news, it's unclear if the Grizzlies are willing to move Morant, let alone if there's a robust market for him. Not only will he remain out through the trade deadline, but possibly after NBA All-Star Weekend.

Morant subtly hinted he wants to remain with the organization by revealing a Memphis Grizzlies tattoo on his back. While a trade is pure speculation, his absence undoubtedly hurts their chances of making a championship run.

With +12500 preseason betting odds to win it all, the Grizzlies were never favored in the eyes of sportsbooks. Now, their title appears more distant than ever.