Latest Memphis Grizzlies injury news on Ja Morant, Marcus Smart

On By Littum

This story has been updated

LOS ANGELES ― One of the three injured Memphis Grizzlies starters is nearing a return.

Wing Marcus Smart was a full participant in practice Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers (9 p.m. CT, ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network). Smart has missed the last six games while dealing with a right ankle sprain.

Smart is listed as questionable on the damage report.

“We’ll see how he wakes up tomorrow,” coach Taylor Jenkins said.

Yes Morant and Desmond Bane are the other two starters who remain out against the Lakers (6-4). Jenkins described Morant and Bane as both still out “week to week.”

“Just still kind of relieving the hip, but (Morant) is showing a lot of progress as well,” Jenkins said.

Bane, who has missed the last six games with an oblique injury, has had several contact sessions as the Grizzlies begin to build him up for a return.

Anthony Davis back to the Lakers

The Grizzlies (7-4) defeated the Lakers on Nov. 6, but LA star Anthony Davis was unavailable. Davis was poked in the eye in a recent Lakers win, but he told reporters Tuesday that he should be ready to go against Memphis.

Davis’ return sets the stage for a star-studded matchup against Jaren Jackson Jr. In his last two games, Jackson scored 39 points on Nov. 8 against the Washington Wizards and led Memphis with 20 points in another win against the Portland Trailblazers on Nov. 10.

Knowing Davis will play on Wednesday gives the Grizzlies more time to prepare for the game, but it’s not the first time they’ve expected Davis to be available this season.

“I thought he was going to play last game, so it’s the same preparation,” Jackson said.

Damichael Cole is the one Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.