Grizzlies star Ja Morant battles back, fully practicing after injury. His dominant presence nears return, injecting electricity into Memphis' playoff push.
Ja Morant moved closer to returning from a right calf strain after being a full participant in the Memphis Grizzlies’ practice on Thursday, marking his most encouraging step since the injury abruptly cut short his most recent appearance.
Morant dropped seven points in just six minutes against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 15 before exiting with the calf issue that has sidelined him ever since. Through 12 games this season, he has averaged 17.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 7.6 assists, anchoring Memphis’ offense before the injury halted his momentum and forced the Grizzlies to recalibrate their rotation.
The Grizzlies have not yet released their official injury report for Friday’s game against the Utah Jazz, but Morant’s ability to go through a full practice suggests he is trending in the right direction. Memphis has taken a measured approach with his recovery, prioritizing sustainable progress over an accelerated return. Thursday’s session, which featured Morant participating without restrictions, met a key benchmark in that process.
While Morant has been sidelined, the Grizzlies have pieced together one of their most resilient stretches of the season, winning seven of their last nine games. Much of that success has stemmed from a dominant bench unit that leads the NBA in scoring and a defense that has climbed into the league’s top tier over the past 10 games. Still, Morant’s absence has loomed large, and his eventual return is viewed internally as essential to sustaining momentum.
In his time away, Memphis has leaned more heavily on emerging contributors. Second-year guard Cam Spencer has carved out a larger role as a scorer and facilitator, stabilizing second-unit lineups with his shooting and decision-making. Vince Williams Jr. has expanded his presence as a multi-positional defender and connective passer, often serving as an anchor in the starting group. Both players have helped bridge the gap, but their minutes and touches are expected to shift once Morant reassumes his central role in the offense.
The Grizzlies entered the season expecting continuity around Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, but injuries and a demanding early schedule disrupted those plans. Memphis was forced to play 24 games in 47 days to accommodate a January trip to Germany and London as part of the NBA’s Europe Games slate. That compressed start magnified the importance of player health and rotation stability, making Morant’s potential return even more impactful as the season moves into a more balanced phase.
If Morant is cleared for Friday, he would rejoin a team that has rediscovered its identity through defense, depth and adaptability. His ability to pressure the rim, collapse defenses and dictate pace adds layers the Grizzlies have struggled to replicate in his absence. Even as the bench has carried stretches of games, Memphis has lacked the explosiveness Morant routinely provides.
The team will make a final determination on his status after Friday’s pregame evaluation, but for the first time since mid-November, a return appears within reach. For a Grizzlies team navigating both a turnaround and a challenging Western Conference landscape, the timing could prove pivotal.
Memphis has survived the stretch without its star. Now it may soon have the chance to find out how high its ceiling goes once he’s back.