Morant Sidelined With Grade 2 Hamstring Strain

The Portland Trail Blazers guard is on the injury list while former teammate Gilbert Arenas discusses his past suspensions.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Basketball

Morant Sidelined With Grade 2 Hamstring Strain

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Do you think the NBA's suspensions for players' off-court conduct are fair?

Ja Morant is on the Portland Trail Blazers' injury list with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Gilbert Arenas, Nick Young, Danny Green, and Josiah Johnson discussed Morant's situation and suspension history on Gil's Arena.

Why it matters

Morant's absence comes after a 25-game suspension to open the 2023-24 season that cost roughly $7.6 million in direct lost salary. The discussion highlights how repeated league discipline can affect a player's standing and earnings.

Morant's 25-game suspension cost roughly $7.6 million in direct salary, while Arenas served a 50-game suspension in 2009-10 for bringing unloaded firearms into the Washington Wizards' locker room. The extraction does not specify how many games Morant has missed due to the hamstring injury.

The players

Ja Morant

Ja Morant is a point guard who previously played for the Memphis Grizzlies and is now on the Portland Trail Blazers.

Gilbert Arenas

Gilbert Arenas is a former NBA guard who served a 50-game suspension in 2009-10 and now hosts the podcast Gil's Arena.

The details

Morant was sidelined with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, and he was previously required to seek counseling as part of league-imposed rehabilitation. On Gil's Arena, Arenas defended Morant's conduct and criticized the league's suspension decisions, while Danny Green said Morant will build and be good but may not return to his previous level.

2009-10 season: Arenas served a 50-game suspension for bringing unloaded firearms into the Washington Wizards' locker room.
March 2023: Morant was suspended for 8 games following a nightclub incident.
2023: Morant displayed a firearm during an Instagram Live broadcast.
2023-24 season: Morant was suspended for 25 games to open the season.
November 6, 2026: Arenas and the panel discussed Morant's hamstring strain and history on Gil's Arena.

Season Trajectory

Morant's firearm-related suspensions follow the precedent set by Gilbert Arenas' 50-game ban in 2009-10 for bringing unloaded guns into a locker room. The comparison shows how repeated league discipline for similar conduct can shape a player's availability and standing across seasons.

Morant's 25-game suspension reduced his available games and salary, and his hamstring injury now affects his availability for fantasy rosters and team rotations. Fans tracking Portland's lineup should watch the injury report for updates on his return timeline.

The takeaway

Repeated suspensions for firearm-related conduct can cost players both game time and substantial earnings, as Morant's case shows. Readers following player availability should track official injury reports rather than relying on commentary alone.