The Memphis Grizzlies won 51 games last season and claimed the 2-seed in the Western Conference. So far this season, Memphis is just 10-19, struggling to build off of their success from last year. The good news for the Grizzlies is that Ja Morant, who served a 25-game suspension to begin the season, is back and has revitalized the team.
Since Morant's return, the Grizzlies have won four straight games and they own the second longest active win streak in the league. The only team above them is the Denver Nuggets, who have won five straight games. On Thursday night, these two teams will meet in Denver.
The Grizzlies have a huge chance to prove that they are back with a win over the Nuggets, but they are going to once again need to lean on Morant in order to have any chance of toppling Nikola Jokic and Co.
Is Ja Morant playing vs. Nuggets?
Morant, like many other players around the league right now, is dealing with an illness. Initially listed as questionable to play on Thursday against the defending champions, he was officially ruled out shortly before tipoff, per Michael Wallace of Grind City Media.
After leading the Grizzlies to a 3-0 record in his first week back from suspension, Morant was named the NBA's Western Conference Player of the Week. Through four games, the young star guard has managed to average 28.8 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 50.6 percent from the floor.
Offensively, Morant has elevated the Grizzlies and has begun to dig them out of the hole they found themselves in early on this season. The crazy thing about Ja being back in the lineup for Memphis is that he has scored or assisted on roughly 46 percent of the team's total made shots over their recent four-game win streak. The Grizzlies' shooting percentage as a team has increased since Morant came back and this group is rapidly finding their swag.
Morant's availability is critical to this team's overall success. Without him, the Grizzlies will have a very tough time finding consistent offensive production outside of Desmond Bane, who is able to create opportunities for himself. Vince Williams Jr. and David Roddy will likely see their roles increase if Morant is ruled out for this matchup. Marcus Smart, who recently returned from injury, will sop up more playmaking duties with Morant sidelined, too.
Memphis and Denver tipoff from Ball Arena at 6:00 p.m. (PT).
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