Ja Morant's return to the Memphis Grizzlies has sparked a notable improvement in the team's performance, with the Grizzlies achieving a 2-0 record since his comeback. Morant's impact was evident as he led the team to a victory against the Indiana Pacers with a score of 116-103, where he scored 20 points in his first home game following his suspension at FedExForum. His presence on the court has been described as transformative, making Memphis look like a completely different team with his drives and paint touches. The team's joy in playing has been reignited, as Morant himself noted, saying 'We’re back having fun.' This sentiment was echoed by teammates and fans, with MVP chants heard during his first home game and teammates acknowledging the positive change in team dynamics. Morant's leadership was on display when he huddled the team during a timeout to remind them of their enjoyment of the game, after connecting with Santi Aldama for an alley-oop. Desmond Bane noted the moment as a turning point. Additionally, Morant received an emotional welcome from Derrick Rose during his home debut since suspension.
Steph uses the slick cross to get to the rim 🔥 WATCH ALL GAMES FREE TODAY WITH NBA ID: https://t.co/cIUtz97e1q Trail Blazers-Warriors | Live on the NBA App https://t.co/l687lHS0uC
JA MORANT LOBS 💯 (via @NBATV) https://t.co/PpAH7DMe9i
Ja Morant gets BOUNCY for the lob slam 💪 WATCH ALL GAMES FREE TODAY WITH NBA ID: https://t.co/PpqhMN6wQQ Hawks-Grizzlies | Live on the NBA App https://t.co/U1QsSLbYQ2
Ja Morant was loving Desmond Bane's ankle-breaker. 😂🔥 (🎥: @GrizzOnBally) https://t.co/Vqpk4suFd2
Taylor Jenkins draws up an alleyoop for Ja Morant out of the timeout, which has to be way more fun than 25 games of drawing up side pick-and-rolls for David Roddy.
A heat check just took a Desmond Bane
NICK SMITH JR. HAS 17 PTS IN Q4 🤯 WATCH ALL GAMES FREE TODAY WITH NBA ID: https://t.co/Pcw7yd7VQ6 Nuggets-Hornets | Live on the NBA App https://t.co/PWlYTTjbnp
Vince Williams gets the steal from Trae, Morant hits him for 3 at the other end, and Grizzlies retake the lead.
Ja's reaction to Desmond Bane's ankle breaker is hilarious https://t.co/bxfRIW7knA
Halftime: Hawks 60, Grizzlies 50. Trae's 30-10 streak in jeopardy but Hakws rolling otherwise. Griz need to get Bane going, keep Capela off glass, and find a bench spark.
Grizzlies win the challenge, they've changed it from a foul on Ja to a "play on" no-call.
Ja Morant tosses a NO-LOOK DIME to Konchar for the assist! WATCH ALL GAMES FREE TODAY WITH NBA ID: https://t.co/PpqhMN6wQQ Hawks-Grizzlies | Live on the NBA App https://t.co/9mR9gwK2dw
Our @grindcitymedia Courtside Road Report, with latest as we close in on tip of Grizz-Hawks. -@memgrizz go for 3 in a row -Smart out tonight, but anticipates playing next game at Pelicans -Vince Williams will be key again tonight vs Trae and Hawks wings https://t.co/rhzxh4tS0E
Grizzlies are looking for their first 3-game winning streak of the season. @MyMikeCheck looks at what they need to do to win tonight in Atlanta. https://t.co/NL0QWcHL22
“It’s go, go, go. He’s always in attack mode. I just try to roll with him and play at his pace.” -@memgrizz forward Ziaire Williams on how Ja’s return unlocks aspects of his game and overall confidence. Via @grindcitymedia’s Shootaround Sitdown in ATL ahead of Grizz-Hawks: https://t.co/ffE8UEDfrP
With Ja Morant back, Ziaire Williams is coming off one of his best games of the season as @memgrizz look for their first 3-game win streak. We catch up with Z in Atlanta for @grindcitymedia’s Shootaround Sitdown ahead of tonight’s game vs the Hawks. Coming soon … https://t.co/wLrnow8QH4
NEW episode of "All Things NBA" out now!! @AnalyticsCapper, @Zaknoble, and I discussed - The Detroit Pistons. What the hell? - Ja Morant's return to the Memphis Grizzlies - Trade rumors galore! and more! Presented by @Ballislife https://t.co/cc6gcK1qQb
“Ja Morant is going be the face of the NBA… the one Allen Iverson became”. @JaMorant made a triumphant return to the NBA after a long suspension. It wasn’t only triumphant on the scoreboard, or because he hit the game winner. It was the time off spent growing, learning, the… https://t.co/CGGxlAQTkE
First game I decided to watch coming back from vacation was New Orleans-Memphis from earlier this week. Holy mother of god. The ram PnR into a double-drag with Ja splitting in to a live dribble scoop lob to Jaren lmao. So great to have Ja back on the court. https://t.co/pkJU9bxYj5
Ja Morant is back and the Grizzlies look completely different. @coachthorpe tells @jshector Ja is like Neo from the Matrix! Full episode: https://t.co/6I879rcckA https://t.co/N9PMMU6bBM
Ja Morant walked off after his pass and before the shot went in. 😳 JA MORANT IS BACK BABY. 🔥 (🎥: @NBAMyke) https://t.co/7hkcCq6vBh
The Grizzlies are having fun again with Ja Morant back on the floor and he's going to need more energy out of head coach Taylor Jenkins. He sent the message loud and clear by booting Jenkins out of the locker room after the win over the Pacers. READ: https://t.co/vMRCMFx7x6 https://t.co/UkDXyxUPDi
Ja Morant on his return to FedEx Forum and basketball. “We’re back having fun” Per @espn_macmahon https://t.co/a9NaLzXgx3
Four words summed up Ja Morant’s return to FedExForum: “We’re back having fun.” https://t.co/jR2vOAegzQ
Thru The Ringer with @tatefrazier & @NoraPrinciotti is on NOW! 👏 🏈 Week 16 Breakdown 🏀 Ja Morant's Return With @HowardBeck 🎁 Xmas Day Games Tune in! ➡️ https://t.co/QsLls7VDMk https://t.co/VffcPsq990
Ja Morant has 20 points in first home game following suspension, Grizzlies beat Pacers 116-103 https://t.co/o0bzZ4J19y
Grizzlies secure second consecutive win since Ja Morant’s return #IndianaPacers #MemphisGrizzlies https://t.co/S9VYlieD3L
Grizzlies’ Ja Morant gets emotional welcome from Derrick Rose in home debut since suspension https://t.co/SGmfg73Uqd https://t.co/N8Rhgcp2pA
What a night. Signing off from FedExForum, where Ja is back. Nuff said. https://t.co/tXxddOGIDk
Ja confirms: Back to the old Grizz, having fun again. https://t.co/FfhClVfcBu
Desmond Bane said there was a moment, after Ja hit Santi Aldama with the alley-oop, that Morant huddled the team during a timeout. “Hey, we’re having fun again,” he told them.
The Grizz are officially 2-0 with Ja Morant this season. 🐻 ✅ MEM -2.5 ✅ U 247.5 https://t.co/gtYK0gFfv6
Memphis is 2-0 since Ja Morant’s return. https://t.co/764onLc7Yd
MVP chants coming down for Ja Morant in his first home game of the season.
Ja Morant drives and paint touches make Memphis look like a completely different team.