Cam Spencer

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Ja Morant had an injection in his ankle on Thursday but is “determined to play” against the Mavericks on Friday.

Charania also noted that if this was a regular season game, Morant likely wouldn’t be playing. It is a “severe” ankle sprain, though he has never wavered from his stance that he will play against Dallas. The injection should help ease the pain, but it also establishes just how severe the injury is. Still, in an elimination game, Morant will play as much as he needs to in order to get Memphis to the playoffs.

Ja Morant had an injection in his ankle on Thursday but is “determined to play” against the Mavericks on Friday.

Ja Morant (ankle) is questionable for Friday’s game against the Mavericks.

Morant told reporters after Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors that he expects to play Friday. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old point guard missed practice Thursday and is officially listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain. While it’s hard to envision Morant sitting out a game of importance like Friday’s, his ankle is clearly bothering him. If Morant is out, Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard will be in line for extra minutes with Kennard potentially moving into the starting lineup.

Trae Young (Achilles) is available to play against the Heat on Friday.

As expected, Young will be good to go for Atlanta’s play-in matchup. Young had 28 points before being ejected from Tuesday’s game against the Magic. The Hawks will need him to be even better (and for him to be available for the whole game) if they want to advance to play the Cavaliers in the first round.

Ben Sheppard (toe) is probable to play in Game 1 against the Bucks on Saturday.

Sheppard miss Indiana’s final five games of the regular season, but he should be available for their first game of the postseason. Sheppard should fill out a large reserve role and provide some floor spacing. He averaged 5.8 points in 17.7 minutes per game during their first round series against the Bucks last year.

Trae Young (Achilles) is probable for Friday’s game against the Heat.

Even in the postseason, the Hawks continue to list Young as probable with an Achilles injury. The listing is performative, stemming from Young being held out of an NBA Cup game earlier this season despite not appearing on the injury report, which resulted in a $100K fine for the Hawks. With the Hawks’ season on the line Friday, expect Young to be cleared to play once again.