Why Ja Morant’s return to basketball is good timing for the Grizzlies
As Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins put it, the Grizzlies have more clarity on the status of All-star guard Ja Morant going forward.
“We understand what’s happened through the investigation, now all we’re focused on is that we now know the plan,” Jenkins told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Miami Heat. “Ja will return to the team, first opportunity will be back practicing with the team on Monday.”
In an interview with ESPN’S Jalen Rose, Morant said he’s in a good mental space and is ready to help the Grizzlies push for an NBA title. With all the recent news of injuries, suspensions and Morant’s leave, title talk in Memphis hasn’t been prevalent of late.
When Morant’s eight-game suspension concludes, he’ll be able to return on
March 20. The Grizzlies will host the Dallas Mavericks on that day, but it’s unrealistic to expect Morant to walk in the team facility on his first day and play in a game.
Morant’s return will likely come later that week. After playing the Mavs on Monday, Memphis has home games scheduled against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday and Friday. Since the Rockets (17-52) have one of the NBA’S worst records, it’s an ideal start date.
Remember, Morant has mentioned being rusty on multiple occasions before after lengthy layoffs. When he returned in December 2021 and struggled in a shocking loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Morant mentioned how he needed time to get back into form. He also echoed that sentiment in the firstround of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves last season after he missed 10 of the final 11 regular season games. This situation should be different since those included injuries, but
Morant also didn’t do much basketball activity while in a counseling program in Florida.
The Grizzlies will play at the Hawks on March 26, then return home against the Orlando Magic on March 28. That is when the Grizzlies will need Morant at his best. Memphis will follow that stretch with two home games against the Los Angeles Clippers and close the season with four of the last five games on the road.
Even though Morant’s return will be a major piece for the Grizzlies’ success, he is just one. The injury development to Steven Adams is another big factor to the potential postseason run. He’s expected to be reevaluated during the last week of the regular season after getting a stem cell injection to treat a PCL sprain in his right knee.
There will be a time to worry about the postseason, but as for the regular season, Morant could be back just in time.