Following a turbulent season marked by declining performance toward the bottom of the Western Conference rankings, the Memphis Grizzlies are looking to make a comeback into NBA postseason action next season.
The comeback of Ja Morant to the lineup following a 2023–24 campaign marred by suspension and then injury is said to have inspired these hopes; league insider Mark Medina believes he “instantly changes” the course of the team’s performance.
Looking to Regain Playoff Conversation
Two seasons ago, the Grizzlies had a name connected to one of the teams that could leave the Western Conference and make it to the NBA Finals; but, following a sudden playoff exit and falling in the conference semi-finals to LeBron James and the seventh-seeded L.A. Lakers, things went south.
After a video showed him brandishing a gun in a car, the second such time he was caught engaging in such activity in a three-month span, having also served an eight-game suspension back toward the end of the 2022-23 regular season. Franchise star Ja Morant was handed a 25-game suspension to start the 2023-24 campaign for “reckless” behavior.
The Grizzlies were hoping to keep the club afloat until Marcus Smart returned, but they suffered yet more hardship in the form of an onslaught of injuries, including Smart, who suited up just 20 times, Desmond Bane, and Derrick Rose. Marcus Smart had been traded from the Boston Celtics to cover some void vacated by Morant’s suspension at the guard position.
| Memphis Grizzlies – Sharp Contrast in Performances | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | 2022-23 | 2023-24 |
| PTS | 116.9 | 105.8 |
| OPP PTS | 113.0 | 112.8 |
| OFF RTG | 114.7 | 106.8 |
| DEF RTG | 110.7 | 113.7 |
| NET RTG | 4.0 | -6.9 |
After picking up where he left off, Morant’s comeback saw him lead his team to triumph in his first game back with a game-winning floater over the New Orleans Pelicans; unfortunately, his season would only last nine games until he too sustained an injury to his right shoulder.
Though they finished the season with a poor 27-55 record, the Grizzlies went 6-3 in those nine games and were granted a lottery pick, with which they chose Zach Edey out of Purdue – someone who could well become a dark horse Rookie of the Year candidate with him expected to be an immediate impact player.
But with Morant now totally cleared to resume basketball activities, a strong rookie outing by GG Jackson II, and promise shown by Edey in the Summer League, the future has perhaps never looked brighter for Memphis to return back to the top end of the standings and fight it out for the chance to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals.
FAQ’s
Q. Will Ja Morant rejoin the Grizzlies?
A. According to Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian, Morant (shoulder) will be cleared for basketball midseason. Turner Sports’ Chris Haynes says that Morant will miss 2023-24 after right shoulder surgery Thursday.
Q. Did Memphis Grizzlies reinstate Morant?
A. The most important lesson from Kleiman’s comments is that Ja Morant will be ready for full basketball activity by 2024-25. Starting with opening night, the Memphis Grizzlies can hopefully be at full strength for the first time in forever.
