Morant rejoins Grizzlies on bench
MEMPHIS — Ja Morant's eight-game NBA suspension is over, and the two-time All-Star has rejoined the Grizzlies.
The dynamic guard was on the bench for Monday night's 112-108 win over Dallas, though it's unclear exactly when he'll play, with the earliest being Wednesday. The Grizzlies announced Sunday that Morant would not play against the Mavericks because of a "Return to Competition Reconditioning.”
He arrived courtside just before tip-off and received a hearty ovation from the Memphis crowd. He then slapped hands with some of his teammates and was part of the line greeting starters as they prepared to begin the game.
“He is going to be part of practice (Tuesday), and obviously we're hopeful for Wednesday so long as everything medically clears out,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said, adding the delay is part of the “ramp-up process.”
The Grizzlies host Houston on Wednesday in the first of two consecutive games against the Rockets.
HORNETS 115, PACERS 109
Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 28 points, and Charlotte erased a 21-point first-half deficit to beat Indiana at home behind a strong finish to snap a six-game home losing streak.
Terry Rozier added 23 points and Gordon Hayward had 22 for the Hornets, who outscored the Pacers 19-4 over the final six minutes to deal the Pacers' postseason hopes a big blow.
Nick Richards was strong in the second half for Charlotte, finishing with 14 points.
TIMBERWOLVES 140, KNICKS 134
Julius Randle scored 57 points to tie the third-highest total in New York's long history, but Minnesota rode a sizzling start to a steady finish at Madison Square Garden.
Taurean Prince scored a season-high 35 points and went 8 for 8 from 3-point range for the Timberwolves, while Mike Conley added 24 points and 11 assists. His three free throws gave Minnesota the lead for good with 2:17 remaining.
Randle's final basket, a threepoint play with 42 seconds remaining, cut it to 137-134, but he was beaten to a rebound by Kyle
Anderson on Minnesota's next possession, and a cutting Prince scored inside with 10.1 seconds left before Conley made a free throw after Randle was called for a technical foul.
BULLS 109, 76ERS 105 (2OT)
Zach LaVine scored 26 points, DeMar DeRozan had 25 and Chicago defeated Joel Embiid and host Philadelphia to snap its eight-game winning streak.
Nikola Vucevic added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulls, who have won three games in a row and five of six. Chicago is fighting for the final playoff spot in the East.