Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right knee and is considered doubtful for the remainder of the postseason.
Morant appeared to injure his knee during Game 3 of the Grizzlies' Western Conference semifinals series against the Warriors.
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Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins and Morant both initially blamed the injury on a play involving Warriors guard Jordan Poole. Defending Morant on a double team with Andrew Wiggins, Poole reached in for a steal, but his hand made contact with Morant's knee.
Following Game 3, Morant tweeted that Poole "broke the code" on the play, referencing the same phrase Golden State coach Steve Kerr used to describe Dillon Brooks' Flagrant 2 foul that injured Gary Payton II in Game 2. However, Morant deleted the tweet several minutes later.
Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson quickly rushed to Poole's defense and dismissed Morant's accusations.
Many believe that it appears more likely that Morant suffered the injury that night while trying to close out defending a 3-point attempt by Klay Thompson. Morant jumped to block the shot, and his knee made contact with Thompson's body. Morant landed awkwardly and appeared to hobble around after the play.
Morant, who missed Monday's Game 4 at Chase Center, was officially ruled out for Wednesday's Game 5 at FedExForum.
Currently holding a three-games-to-one lead in the best-of-seven series, Golden State can advance to the Western Conference finals with a win in Memphis on Wednesday night.
