If there remained any doubt, it has completely disappeared: the hip of Ja Morant is much better. In the infirmary for eight games, the Grizzlies leader marked his return to the game with a very convincing performance. He thus finished top scorer in Memphis' big victory against Portland, with a sixth double-double of the season as a bonus (22 points and 11 assists), all in barely 23 minutes of play. Above all, he did not did not seem to need the slightest time to regain all his sensations, with an ultra spectacular performance, as usual.
His dunk, two minutes after the start of the second quarter, will go down as one of the actions of the night, for a magnificent photo, full of power and relaxation: pure Ja Morant in short. “ This will be my dunk of the year so you better be happy » he laughed.
This photo of Ja Morant pic.twitter.com/dQNSM4VLG2
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) November 26, 2024
And it was only the beginning of the “Ja-Man Show”, between acrobatic lay-ups and superb passes. In an action similar to that of the dunk three minutes earlier, he arrives launched at full speed in transition. This time, Robert Williams III comes to close access to the circle, but releases Brandon Clarke who Ja Morant finds with a pass behind the back, and blindly. The symbol of a performance as accomplished as it is electrifying.
“ I know you always have to be ready when you play with Ja, you always have to have your hands ready » explained Brandon Clarke after the meeting. “ The difference is huge when he is on the floor. This changes everything. He knows how to find you and keep our attack going. He makes every match fun to play. » « I felt good » confirmed Ja Morant. “ I feel like I played well. »
Another dynamic for the Grizzlies
It's hard to prove him wrong with his +/- ratio of +22, the best in Memphis, during his 23 minutes on the floor. And if Scotty Pippen Jr had done better than hold up during his interim period as starting point guard, the Grizzlies are a completely different team with their All-Star capable of combat. Six players finished with at least 10 points, including 21 for Jaren Jackson Jr, recipient of the other evening pass signed Ja Morant, for a nice alley-oop.
“ When we have our 'Big Three', it's different » summed up Santi Aldama, author of a career record with 17 rebounds, coming off the bench. “ It's easier to play this way. Having Ja back, just the energy, the pull he has on defenses, it's completely different. »
The Grizzlies were also well helped by the Blazers who never really believed in it, not leading for a single second of the match. The credit goes to the local players, who were already leading 8-0 after 90 seconds of play, eight points in which Ja Morant was involved each time, without the slightest round of observation.
“ I wanted to be sure to be in good shape for my return »insisted the leader, who received praise from his coach Taylor Jenkins on the management of his time in the infirmary.
“ He works like hell » estimated the technician. “ His involvement even when he can't play… Last week was one of the best I've seen him do. He is there for his teammates, he remains vocal in the locker room, during video sessions. We were already talking two weeks ago about what he was doing well, what he could improve, what we could do better as a team and he immediately spoke about it to his teammates throughout the matches. He loves the game, he did the job, so I'm not surprised at all to see the impact he had in his first game. »
Next step for Ja Morant, gradually increase his minutes limit, while Taylor Jenkins spoke of an “intelligent” rather than “restrictive” approach to his star player’s playing time.
