Grizzlies' Ja Morant reveals he played with broken thumb in last four games

The Memphis Grizzlies' effort fell short in a 126-122 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in Saturday's Western Conference play-in. But the Grizzlies left the Orlando bubble knowing their future is bright, starting with their point guard who's almost certain to win Rookie of the Year.

Despite playing with a fractured thumb, Ja Morant scored a career-high 35 points, along with eight assists in the final game of his sensational first season. He scored 23 second-half points to keep the Grizzlies close as they hung with the Blazers down the stretch.

Morant revealed the injury postgame and few could've known after his play this week. Morant said he hurt the thumb Sunday against the Toronto Raptors. Still, he had 26 points and 13 assists against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday and his second career triple-double against the Milwaukee Bucks in a win Thursday.

"For the past four games, since the Raptors game, I was out there playing with a fractured thumb," Morant said.

Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas was impressed with Morant's ability to play through the injury.

"He's a true warrior, a true fighter. He's not trying to find excuses, he's trying to give everything on the court," Valanciunas said.

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Injuries hurt the Grizzlies inside the bubble, with Justise Winslow and Tyus Jones not playing a game. Jaren Jackson Jr. was lost after three games with a torn meniscus.

Yet, despite going 2-6 in seeding games, the Grizzlies were one quarter from forcing a second play-in game. In a season that started with low expectations, it was a position they appreciated being in.

"I can say I'm disappointed, definitely, with losing," Morant said. "Nobody likes to lose. But I mean, the positive side, we know we were right there. Just were two games away. So we know we just go back to work and just get ready for next season."

Portland may have ended their season, but the Grizzlies feel their road is just getting started for things to come.

"We're close. We got a lot of work to do," coach Taylor Jenkins said. "We put ourselves in a great spot for the future and that's only going to motivate us even more in the coming days."