When Ja Morant, a point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, vaults himself into the air, with one fantastic move after another, it is a resplendent reminder that one of the NBA’s bright young stars has returned after almost a full season away from basketball.
Morant lost almost the entire 2023-24 season because of a series of issues, some his own fault and some out of his control. Now, he’s back again, cutting, spinning and twirling midleap, a swashbuckling rim hunter who piles up frequent-flyer miles in every arena he visits.
Morant was suspended for 25 games last season after he was filmed posing with a gun in his car, then hurt for all but nine. After two consecutive 50-win campaigns, Memphis piled up 55 losses and a long list of other injuries.
After the lost season, people wondered what the Grizzlies would be like once they found themselves again. Recent weeks have been a reminder that the Grizzlies remain a work in progress and are still awaiting good health. But even though the Western Conference landscape has changed around them in the two seasons since the Grizzlies were last at full strength, they do not believe their place in it has.
“Still confident,” Morant said. “Two years ago passed. I don’t even know who won the championship two years ago. Two years ago don’t matter. Last year don’t matter either. So all we can focus on is now, and that’s getting our wins and handling our business. Confidence never left.”
The Grizzlies have gotten out to an uneven start. They began 6-4, and injuries continue to nag them. They did not make it to November before losing Desmond Bane (strained right oblique) and Marcus Smart (sprained right ankle); each is week to week. G.G. Jackson, who showed promise last season, was injured before training camp opened and has yet to play.
Morant had 20 points in 24 minutes in Wednesday’s 131-114 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, but he left in the third quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return. The injury also kept him out of Friday night’s win over the Washington Wizards.
When he has been on the court, Morant has been more of a facilitator than a scorer this season. He is averaging 9.1 assists per game while averaging just 27.9 minutes a night. His scoring (20.6 points a game) is down from previous years, spurred by anemic shooting numbers (25.8% on nearly four 3-point attempts per game).
But the Grizzlies have made a commitment to playing fast, and few are as suited to do that as Morant. Their offense whirs efficiently, even with some new, slower pieces, including rookie center Zach Edey, the No. 9 pick, who has made progress and impressed coach Taylor Jenkins.
Jaren Jackson Jr. believes that despite all the new inputs and the time missed on the court, there has not been much drop-off in the team’s development.
“Because everyone’s around each other all the time,” he said. “There’s still a level of chemistry you’re getting. You’re traveling together, you’re still practicing together, you’re watching film, so you’re in the same system. It’s not like I’m learning something different while other people are learning something. We’re all learning the same stuff.”
The Grizzlies’ core — Jackson, Bane, Morant and Jenkins — is in its fifth season together. Key contributors have also spent considerable time with the franchise.
Santi Aldama is in his fourth season, and this year, he has been an important part of the rotation and a more than occasional starter. Scotty Pippen Jr. used a midseason opportunity last year to go from a two-way deal to 26 minutes per game this season. Brandon Clarke is in his sixth season with the organization. And even though Smart and Morant have not played much together, Morant believes their time on the floor in practice is enough to build some muscle memory.
“As far as chemistry, man, we’ve been around each other for a while,” Morant said. “Coach and them do their best job with mixing teams up so you get familiar with, you know, everybody on the team. For me, as the point guard, just knowing where they want to be and then going out there and execute with, you know, who’s on the floor.”
The Grizzlies have gotten surprising contributions from Jaylen Wells, the No. 39 pick in the 2024 draft, and Jay Huff, a journeyman center who seems to have found a place in the league.
But Edey, of course, is the biggest new addition. A 7-foot-4, two-time Naismith college player of the year, he has come along at a quick rate after a meager start. Edey fouled out of his NBA debut in less than 15 minutes; last Monday, against the Nets, he had 25 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and just one foul in 29 minutes.
His size and skill and willingness to learn have stood out and made the team bullish on his potential. Edey has had to go from the center of a plodding offense in college (Purdue was 324th and 218th in adjusted tempo his last two seasons, according to KenPom) to keeping up in the Grizzlies’ speed machine over his first few months in the NBA and finding his part in it.
“We’re trying to give him a simple road map to success out there,” Jenkins said. “I think he’s got really good IQ. He’s got a really good feel for the game, but now it’s figuring out the physicality, the speed. The timing is completely different than what he was exposed to. It’s a different system. It’s different teammates. Lots being thrown at him.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves have taken big leaps since the Grizzlies last stood as a contender, and the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns are two veteran-led teams that have stood out early in this season.
Morant has not lost any confidence in his team. Last season may prove to be a get-right time for the franchise instead of a full reset. “This is my team,” he said. “I’m confident in my team every step of the way.”
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