How the Memphis Grizzlies will fare with Ja Morant's return and major injuries in the Western Conference
After missing games with the Memphis Grizzlies over the past few weeks ever since a gun incident, star guard Ja Morant could make his return on Wednesday night against the Houston Rockets.
On Tuesday on FanDuel TV, NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, said:
"I think that’s their goal — get him back tomorrow night (againsththe Rockets) and hopefully from there eliminate the distractions and get everyone on the floor together."
Ja Morant and the Grizzlies against other teams in the Western Conference
Ja Morant received attention after talking about NBA Western Conference rivals in an interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews months ago:
"Nah. I'm fine in the West," Morant said.
Andrews asked Morant which opponents the Grizzlies had been studying as teams to beat. Morant pointed out the Boston Celtics but said he saw no other threats, not even in his own Western Conference.
Memphis (44-27) is second in the Western Conference and has won six of its last 10 games. With the regular season nearing its end, teams are jockeying to finish strong and for playoff seeding purposes.
On "Undisputed," analyst Shannon Sharpe said:
"The Grizzlies have caught some breaks with KD and PG going down. I now give them a 40% chance of coming out of the West."
With injuries to Kevin Durant, Paul George and LeBron James, along with Ja Morant finally returning, the Grizzlies' window towards the NBA Finals has opened.
These are injuries without exact return dates, calling into question if the players will be available to play in the playoffs. And even if they can suit up in the postseason, the question remains on how healthy they will be.
Questions regarding injured players' uncertainty are huge come playoff time as the competitive intensity is high in the postseason.
Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies are also a deep team with Jaren Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks, Desmond Bane and Brandon Clarke being capable of providing quality production.
Be that as it may, Ja Morant and the Grizzlies will still have to go through the Denver Nuggets (48-24), Sacramento Kings (43-29), Phoenix Suns (38-33), LA Clippers (38-35) and Golden State Warriors (37-36).