Ja Morant showed he can still dominate a game.
In the Memphis Grizzlies’ season opener against the Utah Jazz, Morant helped secure a 126-124 victory. The two-time NBA All-Star scored 22 points, made 10 assists, and grabbed five rebounds in just 28 minutes of play. This marked the 24th time in his career that he achieved at least 20 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds.
“My job as a point guard is to control the game,” Morant explained. “I hate if I let the other team’s point guard control the game. Whatever I can do to make sure it’s in our favor, I try to do.”
His strong performance follows a challenging 2023-24 season filled with controversy and injuries. The NBA suspended him for the first 25 games after he flashed a gun on social media. He only played nine games before suffering a shoulder injury that ended his season.
Going through a lengthy recovery after shoulder surgery made Morant realize how much basketball meant to him. Once he was cleared for full play in mid-July, he was eager to return to the court on Wednesday.
The moment met his expectations.
“I was just excited to be back out there,” Morant said. “These guys trust and believe in me every time I’m out there on the floor, so it’s only right I go out there and play free.”
Morant’s efforts on both offense and defense were crucial in helping the Grizzlies fend off a late comeback by the Jazz. He consistently found ways to score or assist when Memphis needed it and worked hard to disrupt the Jazz’s flow in the closing minutes.
