MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant will play in Friday night's Western Conference elimination game against the Dallas Mavericks.
Morant is in the Grizzlies' starting lineup, which the team announced 30 minutes before opening tip as he finished his individual warmup.
The sprained right ankle he suffered against the Golden State Warriors in a play-in game loss earlier this week typically would sideline him during the regular season, sources told ESPN.
He underwent an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of the sprain and received an injection to attempt to alleviate the pain, sources said. Morant received another pain-killing injection Friday.
"I know he's doing everything possible to be able to play," Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo said pregame Friday.
However, sources said Morant continues to experience significant soreness and swelling in the ankle.
He did not wear a brace on the ankle during his pregame warmups, which started about five minutes later than usual. He had a slight limp at times during the session.
"We're prepared to see Ja," Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. "He's a gamer. He's a tough individual. ... We believe that he's going to go."
Morant injured the ankle he stepped on Buddy Hield's foot and was fouled by the Warriors' Quinten Post with 4:25 left in the third quarter Tuesday. He limped off but got up and finished a three-point play. Morant then went to the bench nursing the ankle, before returning early in the fourth quarter. He finished with 22 points.
