MY ACCOUNT
All-Star guard Ja Morant was content with his return ahead of the playoffs after missing the past three weeks with knee soreness.
Morant had not played since March 18 for the Memphis Grizzlies but returned with 21 points, four rebounds and nine assists in a 141-114 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The 56-25 Grizzlies are locked into the second seed in the Western Conference, with Morant’s return coming with the playoffs around the corner.
“[I] felt like I needed a game or two to get my legs back under me,” Morant told reporters.
“Get the game-type feel, nothing compares to a game, whether its practice or whatever. Just wanted to be ready to go.
“Obviously been in and out of the line-up, my teammates were playing a lot of basketball without me. I was just going out there to adapt.”
Despite his All-Star status, the Grizzlies have a remarkable 20-4 record without Morant this season.
The 22-year-old point guard said it was important he developed synergy with his teammates, likely with two games fielding their preferred starting line-up ahead of the playoffs of Morant, Dillon Brooks, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr and Steven Adams.
Morant has only played 12 games alongside Brooks this season, while he has had limited opportunities alongside Steven Adams who moved to Memphis from the Pelicans in the off-season.
“One hundred per cent,” Morant said about the significance of developing connection among the starting five. “Obviously I’ve played with Dillon since I’ve been here and most of the other guys I’ve played with before, so I know their game.
“Being out there at the same time as Steveo [Adams] to get that chemistry, it’s basically the starting line-up I felt like we did a very good job tonight.”
Morant continued: “Tonight I felt like we looked damn good. Look at that third quarter [55-33 points]. Obviously there’s some stuff we’ve still got to correct.”
The 2019 NBA Draft second pick added that he had no preference on second seed Memphis’ playoffs opponents, with the side to face either the Los Angeles Clippers or Minnesota Timberwolves via the play-in tournament.
“I really don’t care who we play,” he said. “I’m focused on us getting better and being ready to play. No matter who it is, we go out in the games the same way.”
