Memphis Star Point Guard Ja Morant was cleared to play in Grizzlies’ Friday Play-in games against Dallas Mavericks about 30 minutes before the scheduled tipoff.
Morant spray her right ankle on Tuesday in Memphis 121-116 Road loss to the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.
Morant reportedly underwent an MRI degree on Thursday and received several painkillers in the last few days.
“I know he is doing everything possible to play,” said Grizzlie’s interim coach Tuomas Iisalo before the Friday game.
Before Morant was cleared, Maverick’s coach Jason Kidd said: “We are prepared to see yes. He is a player. He is a tough individual. … We think he will go.”
Morant was injured when he landed on the foot of the Golden State Buddy Hield with 4:25 remaining during the third quarter.
Morant, 25, later returned to the game and finished with 22 points.
A twice All-Star, Morant was an average of 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 4.1 returns in 50 games in regular season this season.
The winner of the Friday competition will be the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and will meet the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.
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