Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant was back in the lineup Friday night after missing 10 games with a right calf strain, and his return immediately put the ball back in his hands.
As Clay Bailey of The Associated Press noted, Morant finished with 21 points and 10 assists, clearly taking on the responsibility of jump-starting the offense even as he worked through some rust.
The efficiency wasn’t fully there, as Morant went 7-of-20 from the field and had four turnovers in just over 25 minutes, but he acknowledged that aggressiveness was part of the assignment.
“I was forced to get some shots up,” he said. “Some of them, I should have been to the free throw line. Some I missed. Some of them I made. I can’t change it. I just got to live with it.”
Morant has played 7 seasons for the Grizzlies. He has averaged 22.4 points, 7.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 321 regular-season games.
He was selected to play in 2 All-Star games. He has won the Rookie of the Year award and 1 Most Improved Player award.
ICYMI: Zion Williamson came off the bench Sunday as he returned to action after missing the previous five games with a right hip adductor strain. That and more from the Southwest. https://t.co/E22v34kfJV
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) December 16, 2025
