The wait continues for the Grizzlies' point guard

There was a sliver of hope, but the payoff will need to wait.

Ja Morant, who has been healing from a calf injury for more than two weeks, was upgraded to doubtful the day before he Memphis Grizzlies hosted the Portland Trail Blazers, but then was later made inactive. This marks Morant's 10th missed game; the Grizzlies have been 6-3 in his absence, rising out of the depths of the West.

This gives Morant some more time to get right. The Grizzlies don't play again until Friday against the Utah Jazz, and then have two more days off before facing the Clippers; continuing their run against the lesser lights of the conference.

Whenever Morant gets back, he will find a squad that has adjusted and sometimes thrived, especially defensively, in his absence. Zach Edey has anchored the interior, Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells and have been solid two-way wings, and Cam Spencer has emerged as a consistent knockdown shooter while also providing some playmaking. And Vince Williams, Jr., has had some big assist games as the fill-in starter at point guard. It's been the highly-paid Jaren Jackson, Jr., actually, who hasn't stepped forward as had been hoped.