Is Ja Morant playing tonight vs the Milwaukee Bucks? Latest update on the Memphis Grizzlies star's injury report (April 5, 2026)

The Memphis Grizzlies are set to face the Milwaukee Bucks on April 5, 2026, but they will be without their biggest player, Ja Morant. His absence is already confirmed and has been known for some time.

This is not a last-minute update, and the team has been preparing to play without him.This game now feels different from what many expected earlier in the season. With both Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo out, the focus is no longer on star players. Instead, it comes down to how both teams manage with the players they have available and how well they can adjust.

Ja Morant injury status vs Milwaukee Bucks (April 5, 2026)

Ja Morant is not playing tonight and will not return this season.

He has been ruled out for the rest of the 2025–26 season because of a left elbow UCL sprain.The injury stayed with him throughout the season and kept him out for long periods. On March 24, 2026, the Grizzlies confirmed that he would undergo a procedure. That decision ended his season early, with the goal of getting him ready for next season.Recent injury reports clearly list him as out for season with an elbow injury. There is no confusion about his status going into this game.

This will be the 20th game Memphis has played without him, and the team has had to change the way it plays.

Who is handling the Memphis Grizzlies offense now

With Ja Morant out, Memphis has changed its backcourt setup. Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. have taken on bigger roles. Jerome is now leading the offense and handling most of the playmaking.Pippen Jr. was helping with scoring and pace, but he is also out for the season because of a toe injury. Because of that, Memphis is now depending more on younger players like Walter Clayton Jr.,

Cam Spencer, and Jahmai Mashack.In the frontcourt, the team is using players like Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Santi Aldama, Jaylen Wells, and GG Jackson. Without Morant, the team cannot rely on one player to create chances. Instead, they move the ball more and look for steady scoring inside and from mid-range.

Milwaukee Bucks roster situation and injuries

The Milwaukee Bucks are also missing their top player. Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for the season after a serious knee injury in late March.

This is a big loss for the team on both ends of the floor.Even with that, the Bucks still have several players who can contribute. Their lineup includes Bobby Portis, A.J. Green, Kyle Kuzma, Myles Turner, Amir Coffey, and Ryan Rollins. These players give the team different options on offense and defense.Like Memphis, Milwaukee is also dealing with injuries. That means more responsibility for players who usually have smaller roles.

Why the Memphis Grizzlies vs Milwaukee Bucks game still matters

This game still has value for both teams, even without their main stars.For Memphis, this is a wonderful chance for the team to check how the younger players perform and how the team plays without the main star. This will also give them good information about what they want to improve on before next season. For the other team, the main focus is to be organized and find steady chemistry as they try to secure for a play-in spot.

Without Giannis, they need consistent effort from the rest of the players on the team.

What to expect from the game

This game is likely to be faster and led by guards. Memphis will depend on Ty Jerome to control the game, while players like Walter Clayton Jr. and Cam Spencer will try to push the pace.Inside, Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke could have an impact, especially if Milwaukee struggles near the basket.On defense, Memphis will try to stop easy baskets near the rim and avoid giving up extra chances after missed shots. Milwaukee will focus on putting pressure on shooters and using its size to gain an edge in matchups.Also read: Memphis Grizzlies vs Milwaukee Bucks injury report: Who's playing, injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more (April 5, 2026)Without Ja Morant, Memphis is missing its main scorer and playmaker. This turns the game into more of a team effort, where role players on both sides will have a big say in how it plays out.