Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Grizzlies star Ja Morant set to return from nine-game absence

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 3/21/23

The hope is that Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has worked through the issues that led to an eight-game ban from the NBA.

We have no idea whether that’s the case. But Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters the expectation is that Morant will return from his nine-game absence Wednesday against the Houston Rockets.

Morant, 23, last suited up in a game on March 3 against the Denver Nuggets in Colorado. Early the next morning, he posted a video on social media depicting the star guard brandishing a firearm. He then became subject to a criminal investigation by local authorities in Colorado and an investigation by the NBA into conduct detrimental to the league.

Ultimately, Morant didn’t face criminal charges from authorities. However, he was suspended by the NBA for eight games. Eligible to return for Monday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, Morant will now take to the court as his Grizzlies battle for playoff seeding. The young man had entered a counseling program after the aforementioned incident.

Rightfully, most of the focus here should be on Morant’s mental health and the young guard getting his house in order off the court. But we are also entering the stretch run of the 2022-23 NBA regular season. Focus will now turn to that.

Memphis enters Wednesday’s outing against a lowly Rockets team at 44-27 on the season. It is currently one game ahead of the surprising Sacramento Kings for second in the Western Conference.

As one of the best all-around guards in the game, Morant’s return to action couldn’t come at a better time for Memphis. Morant is averaging 27.1 points, 8.2 assists and 6.0 rebounds this season

The team has a relatively easy go at it upon Morant’s return. It has back-to-back outings against the Rockets (18-54), a road date with the Atlanta Hawks (35-36) and a home matchup versus the Orlando Magic (29-43).

Memphis was a surprising 6-3 in the nine games that Ja Morant missed.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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