NBA: Grizzlies’ Ja Morant is a GAME-TIME decision for Game 3 of first-round series with the Lakers

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant could return from a hand injury for Game 3 of his team’s first-round series with the Lakers in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Morant was a full participant in Friday’s non-contact practice, according to ESPN. He reportedly worked on shooting and dribbling during the training session.

The All-Star point guard is currently listed as questionable and Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins is listing him as a game-time decision for Sunday’s Game 3. The two teams are tied at 1-1.

Jenkins said earlier in the week that Morant is dealing with pain and soreness, but sounded more optimistic on Friday.

‘Symptoms are slightly improving from the other night,’ Jenkins said after Friday’s practice, as quoted by the Memphis Commercial Appeal. ‘He’s going to be a game-time decision. He’s going to come in and get working in the morning and test it out, see how is feeling.’

Ja Morant (pictured with a protective glove) could return from a hand injury for Game 3

Morant’s injured hand was taped up at practice, the Commercial Appeal reported.

Jenkins told reporters that he wants Morant to do an individual workout on Saturday morning.

‘Just putting the ball in his hands, the dribbling, the shooting, the catching the ball,’ Jenkins said. ‘Just trying to put him in as many actions as possible to see how comfortable he is.’

‘Symptoms are slightly improving from the other night,’ Jenkins said after practice. ‘He’s going to be a game-time decision. He’s going to come in and get working in the morning and test it out, see how is feeling.’

Morant had an MRI on Monday that showed only bruising of the tissue between the bones as the fourth-year guard aggravated an injury from April 7 when Memphis clinched the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference during a win at Milwaukee.

In Game 1 of the first-round series, Morant appeared to bend his right hand as he landed after driving to the basket against Lakers center Anthony Davis. He was called for a charge with 5:48 left, writhed in pain, then ran toward the Grizzlies’ bench letting out a yell near midcourt before sprinting to the locker room. He returned to the bench with his hand wrapped with a black brace rather than the white tape Morant played with during the 128-112 loss to the Lakers.

On Wednesday, Tyus Jones had 10 points and eight assists after having an hour’s notice he would start for Morant.

But LeBron James noted that Jones has led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio for five straight seasons, the longest such streak in NBA history. Memphis gave him starter money last summer to stick around for his seventh season.

Ja Morant #12 of the Grizzlies reacts during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers