Ja Morant has Grizzlies thinking deep postseason run

A rested and rehabbed Ja Morant will again within the Memphis lineup for the NBA playoffs, and the All-Star guard has the younger, gifted Grizzlies believing they’re able to make a deep postseason run.

Morant sat out the common season finale on Sunday, however returned the night time earlier than after lacking 9 video games with a sore proper knee.

“I felt like I wanted a recreation or two to get my legs again below me, to get the game-type really feel,” Morant mentioned.

It seems he has his legs again below him.

Morant scored 21 factors in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans that tied Memphis’ franchise file for victories in a season at 56. Then together with the opposite Grizzlies’ starters, he sat out the common season finale.

It has been a gentle ascension for Morant, who uplifts the Grizzlies with every step he takes.

The general No. 2 decide within the 2019 NBA draft and 2020 rookie of the yr, Morant helped finish Memphis’ playoff drought in 2021 because the Grizzlies performed their option to the No. 8 seed.

Now with resume worthy of MVP consideration, he has led Memphis to its highest seed ever at No. 2 within the West with the NBA’s second-best file of 56-26. The Grizzlies consider they’re able to take the subsequent step, reaching the playoffs is not adequate for this staff.

Memphis begins its quest Saturday internet hosting both Minnesota or the Los Angeles Clippers, not that the opponent issues to Morant.

“I’m targeted on us,” the third-year guard out of Murray State mentioned. “Getting higher throughout that week stretch and simply being able to go on the market and play the primary two video games right here at house. Regardless of who it’s, we go into the sport’s the identical approach. It’s going to be completely different coverages, relying on the staff, however our play type by no means modifications.”

This franchise was swept within the 2013 Western Convention finals, which was the one time it acquired previous the second spherical.

Morant’s worth to the Grizzlies goes past mere stats.

Head cheerleader when on the bench, he brings everybody to their ft by dunking over 7-footers, throwing down lobs or dishing the ball off to a teammate for a simple basket.

Even his high-flying blocks on protection are must-see TV.

His personal coach desires to see what Morant does subsequent to assault along with his “elite degree” ball-handling abilities.

“That’s what you want at this degree,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins mentioned. “I’m making an attempt to observe him at occasions to see what’s coming subsequent however when he does one thing I’m like, ‘Right here we go!’ That is what he does. I do know he has extra in retailer transferring ahead that’s going to positively shock me.”

And sure opponents as nicely.

Morant boosted his scoring common by 8.3 factors a recreation and improved in each statistical class this season. He averaged 27.4 factors, 5.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 57 video games.

Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned folks get so enamored watching Morant’s nightly highlight-reel performs that they overlook his excessive basketball IQ.

“His capability to grasp the place the reads are on the ground, groups are nonetheless going below him and he’s nonetheless capable of get to the paint at such a excessive clip,” Mosley mentioned. “He’s simply taking part in at an incredible tempo, and he has the flexibility to get to the paint constantly with out groups with the ability to cease him.”

Morant’s velocity and fearlessness driving to the basket helped him shoot 49.3% within the paint the place he averaged an NBA-high 16.8 factors. He had 22 video games this season scoring at the very least 20 factors within the paint, most by a guard during the last 25 seasons in keeping with ESPN Stats & Data.

Spurs guard Lonnie Walker IV mentioned he may be taught from Morant on the way to go assault the large males inside.

“He does a implausible job going to his left,” Walker mentioned. “It’s both, if he’s on the appropriate aspect, he’s going to snake it or if he’s on the left aspect, he’s going downhill and doing what he does.”

With this capability to get to the basket, when he is making 3s San Antonio ahead Doug McDermott mentioned Morant has is nearly un-guardable.

“He’s so fast,” McDermott mentioned. “He can cut up ball screens and he will get everybody else concerned. He’s a terrific participant, and we’ll be seeing plenty of him within the coming years.”

Having Morant wholesome for the postseason is a confidence enhance for the Grizzlies, despite the fact that they went 20-5 with out him in the course of the season.

“He’s the motor for our staff …,” ahead Brandon Clarke mentioned. “Clearly we’re nonetheless an excellent, good staff with out him. However with Ja, we’re nice.”