The Memphis Grizzlies are hopeful that franchise guard Ja Morant will be able to make his return to action on Wednesday night as they take on the Houston Rockets at home, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
Morant rejoined the team on Monday following an eight-game suspension and the team anticipates that he will be able to suit up against the Rockets.
“We’re hopeful for Wednesday, so long as everything medically clears out,” Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said before Monday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, commenting on Morant participating in individual workouts.
“You can’t simulate an NBA game, but you try to do the best you can,” Jenkins said. “So trying to get as much full-court action as possible — that was the main goal.”
“He’s holding himself accountable,” Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks said following the victory of Dallas. “He’s made some changes in his life. … He’s taking ownership of it, which is just a great thing for his growth, for his basketball career, for everything. You’re going to see a different Ja out there who’s going to be consistent every single night and who’s going to give us that energy that we need to be that top team in the West.”
Morant has scored 27.1 points and 8.2 assists per game this season for the Grizzlies, and is vital to their playoff hopes.
Morant had a conversation with Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving following the game, and Irving spoke about that.
“With Ja dealing with that, I think the initial shock was dealing with the public opinion and all of the extra hoopla that comes with it, but then there’s a real human being dealing with emotion,” Irving said. “So I care about that aspect. That’s where I poured my energy to. So I wish his family well wishes, I wished him well wishes, and I just prayed for his peace of mind. That’s all I really care about in this. The basketball thing is one thing, but peace of mind is everything. So I’m happy to see him out there.”
