Jaren Jackson Jr. said it felt like FedExForum had smoke in the air during Monday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers. As grainy as the building may have looked, Monday presented a clearer picture of what this Memphis Grizzlies team could be.
Ja Morant finally returned after an eight-game absence. The Grizzlies used an 11-man rotation, and that depth wore on the Blazers in a 123-98 Grizzlies win.
Morant secured a double-double with 22 points and 11 assists. Alley-oops, behind the back passes and a tomahawk dunk were all on display in Morant’s highlight-filled performance.
“It just seems like he has a lot of fun on the floor, and that in turn gets everybody else feeling the same way,” Jay Huff said. “It’s just really fun.”
Making a move in the west
The timing of Morant’s return is notable. Memphis (11-7) has won its last two games. Three more games remain on the current homestand, and each matchup is against a team below .500.
Memphis has its core three of Morant, Jackson and Desmond Bane all available. And there’s a lot of depth behind those guys.
Sure, players are taking the game-to-game approach, but a chance to stack up wins and move up the Western Conference standings is not lost on the players.
“We’re clicking right now, and we got to ride that wave until it is out and for as long as we can,” Marcus Smart said. “I like the direction that we are headed.”
The Grizzlies entered Monday seeded seventh in the Western Conference. Monday’s win catapulted them to fifth.
Bane and Morant are among the players who have noted that in recent seasons, the Grizzlies tend to go on a run that has led to two regular season finishes at the No. 2 seed.
“I think that we have something unique brewing,” Bane said. “It hasn’t been pretty all along, but we’re still finding ways to get wins. That’s the sign of a good team.”
The impact of Ja Morant
Morant totaled 20 points and six assists through one half against the Blazers. He pushed the tempo, knocked down 3-pointers and impressed Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins with his defense against Blazers guard Anfernee Simons.
Having Morant back obviously makes the Grizzlies better, but he didn’t look like a player who missed eight games on Monday. Morant described himself as “locked” during the rehab process.
“Well, he works his tail off, throughout the return to play process,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “He loves this game. He misses being out there. I think I said it to someone before the game – his engagement, even when he’s out, you all don’t get to see the work that he’s putting in. This past week was some of the best work I’d seen from him via return to play process because he wants to be out there so badly.”
The Grizzlies showcase depth
It’s starting to feel like a key Grizzlies player can step up on any given day. Two nights ago, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jaylen Wells scored career highs. On Monday, Santi Aldama finished with a career-high 17 rebounds to go with 13 points.
Smart returned on Monday and didn’t check into the game until 3:01 left in the first quarter. Pippen, fresh off a career night, was the 11th Grizzlies player to enter the game.
Jenkins and Grizzlies players have noticed the unusual trend of playing an 11-man rotation, but that depth has saved Memphis this season through its bout with injuries.
“(The depth) is a plus for us,” Morant said. “It’s times where you get fatigued in the game and you need a quick break. When you come out, you knowing that you got guys that will come in and not miss a beat, it’s always something to be proud about.”
