Portland guard Ja Morant is recovering from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain after an injury in a loss to Memphis, and Dr. Brian Sutterer says his pre-injury form may take weeks to return.
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Ja Morant’s availability for Portland’s next stretch is uncertain after the guard suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain during the Trail Blazers’ 124–103 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday.
Portland announced Morant would be re-evaluated in four weeks following an MRI confirmation of the injury, but Dr. Brian Sutterer’s separate medical outlook suggests the recovery may involve more than simply returning to action.
In public comments posted Oct. 30, 2026, Sutterer said Morant “will likely take around 10 games to get back to pre injury performance after his eventual return” and estimated there is “around 30-40% chance” the hamstring issue “shows up on the injury report again this year.”
Sutterer’s analysis also projects it could take 3.5 to 6.5 weeks for Morant to reach his previous level, while emphasizing his estimates are projections rather than an official Portland timetable or diagnosis.
Beyond the initial absence, the medical assessment described a gradual return to performance rather than an immediate return to pre-injury production, noting hamstring problems can affect movement and explosiveness.
Morant is in his first season with Portland after nine years with the Memphis Grizzlies. Across his first four games with the Trail Blazers in 2026–27, he averaged 15.8 points and 5.5 assists, and he has formed a new backcourt with Damian Lillard.
With Morant sidelined, the opportunity shifts to Portland’s other guards, including Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday, as the team looks to maintain its early-season momentum.
Portland is set to face the Utah Jazz on Saturday, Oct. 31, in its first game without Morant, with Damian Lillard expected to remain central to the team’s offensive production during the recovery period.
The injury update also drew comment from former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins, who said Portland is “one of the most dangerous teams in the Western Conference” and pointed to roles for Henderson and Holiday if increased minutes are required.
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