Grizzlies’ Morant (foot) sits, now ineligible for NBA awards

SAN ANTONIO — The Memphis Grizzlies were without star Ja Morant for Friday night’s 140-112 win against the San Antonio Spurs because of right foot soreness.

Morant missed his 18th game this season, making him ineligible for NBA regular-season awards; players must play at least 65 games to qualify.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins mentioned that Morant had been nursing a sprained foot since a Jan. 9 loss at home to the Houston Rockets.

“Last game against Spurs he got tangled up, had a little collision there with a Spurs player which really aggravated it,” Jenkins said.

Morant, 25, led Memphis with a team-high 21 points and 12 assists Wednesday in a 129-115 victory over the Spurs.

Morant tested the sore foot early Friday, but Jenkins said the two-time All-Star was “trending out.” Morant tested the foot again during pregame warmups before the Grizzlies staff made the decision to bench him.

The Grizzlies (27-15) improved to 11-7 with Morant out of the lineup. A sixth-year veteran, he is averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 assists and 1.3 steals this season.