The Memphis Grizzlies (11-7) delivered a commanding 123-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers (7-11) on Monday night, as Ja Morant returned to action after missing eight games due to a hip injury.
Morant wasted no time making an impact, contributing 22 points and 11 assists in his first game back. He shot 6 of 12 from the field, including two of three from beyond the arc, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 21 points. Santi Aldama also had an impressive performance, finishing with 13 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
The Trail Blazers, struggling with their shooting, were led by Deni Avdija, who recorded 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Shaedon Sharpe chipped in 15 points, but Portland’s offense was inefficient, shooting just 33% overall.
Portland’s shooting woes were evident from the start, trailing by double digits in the first half. Although the Blazers managed to cut the deficit to six points in the third quarter, a surge from Memphis quickly pushed the lead back up.
The Trail Blazers finished the game shooting 34 of 102 (33%) from the field and an abysmal 8 of 46 (17%) from three-point range.
The Grizzlies capitalized on Portland’s shooting struggles, with Memphis shooting 49.4% from the field and a solid 42.9% from three-point range.
In addition to Morant, Aldama’s rebounding effort played a crucial role, as he grabbed a team-high 17 boards to help the Grizzlies dominate the glass.
Portland’s poor shooting performance came despite contributions from several players. Jerami Grant scored 11 points, while Robert Williams III added six points and three rebounds.
Luke Kennard added 11 points, while Jake LaRavia contributed eight points, five rebounds, and five assists. The Grizzlies’ depth, combined with Morant’s playmaking, allowed them to cruise to the victory.
