Is Ja Morant playing tonight against Rockets? Latest injury update on Grizzlies’ star ahead of matchup (22nd March 2023)
After a nine-game absence, Ja Morant will return to action tonight for the Memphis Grizzlies against the Houston Rockets.
Morant sat out the previous eight games to serve his NBA-mandated suspension. He was sidelined on Monday night versus the Golden State Warriors as he had to ramp up his conditioning.
“G12” will make his long-awaited return to the lineup in Memphis after posting a controversial gun-toting video of himself on Instagram. Morant deserved credit for admitting his mistake, issuing a public apology and then seeking counsel to help himself.
Ja Morant is expected to return tomorrow vs. the Rockets.
12 is back. ⭐️ https://t.co/jo2PsQI9B2
Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies will have to count themselves lucky as the suspension could have easily been far more severe. Morant was looking at the prospect of nearly a whole season’s worth of suspension if the NBA’s findings had been negatively any different.
Also read: Basketball world believes Ja Morant could be suspended for 50 games after gun on plane report
What is Ja Morant’s impact on the Memphis Grizzlies?
The Memphis Grizzlies promptly lost back-to-back games when Ja Morant was suspended by the team for two games. However, Memphis is a resilient group that proved last year that they can still win even if their superstar is unavailable. They were 20-5 without him last season.
During his recent nine-game absence, Memphis stayed afloat by going 6-3 including wins against the Golden State Warriors twice. The Grizzlies own a 10-8 record this season without “G12.”
IT’S GAMEDAY FOR THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES MANE https://t.co/vvmiriqwNF
Morant’s impact, though, was invaluable when the postseason started. He was the biggest reason why the Grizzlies won against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. Morant’s injury against the eventual NBA champs also doomed whatever chance Memphis had of beating the Warriors.
The Memphis Grizzlies own a 44-27 record and have held their ground in the Western Conference standings. They remain second behind the Denver Nuggets (48-24) and are looking to solidify their top-two finish in the standings.
If they nail the second seed, the Grizzlies will have a home-court advantage until the Western Finals if their opponents happen to be the Nuggets.
The Memphis Grizzlies may monitor Ja Morant’s minutes against the Houston Rockets tonight
The Memphis Grizzlies don’t want to rush Ja Morant and push him too hard in his first game back from a nine-game absence. It would be very unfortunate to lose him to an injury because he played a little out of shape.
Morant has reportedly been a full participant in the Grizzlies’ practices since the eight-game ban was announced. He has had enough time to get his body right, particularly as he dives deep into the crucial stretch of the regular season.
Memphis, though, may be willing to err with caution and put a cap on his minutes. The Grizzlies are just excited to have him back and ready to lead them.
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