In London on Sunday, the Memphis Grizzlies got a much-needed spark - and it came from the familiar hands of Ja Morant. After missing last week’s matchup in Berlin against the Orlando Magic, Morant returned to the lineup and wasted no time reminding everyone just how impactful he can be.
Morant came out firing, dropping 20 points in the first half on just seven shot attempts - a masterclass in efficiency. But it wasn’t just the scoring that stood out.
He dished out 10 assists before the break, orchestrating the offense with the kind of poise and explosiveness that’s made him one of the league’s most electric point guards. Behind his early dominance, Memphis built a 19-point lead heading into halftime.
It was a much-needed jolt for a Grizzlies team that’s been navigating some turbulent waters. Morant had missed several games due to injury, and during that stretch, trade rumors started to swirl. Reports surfaced suggesting Memphis might be open to moving their franchise cornerstone - speculation that only intensified after a practice dust-up between Morant and teammate Vince Williams Jr. was caught on camera ahead of the Berlin game.
That game, without Morant, saw Memphis cough up a 20-point lead in a frustrating loss to the same Magic squad. But Sunday felt different. Morant looked locked in, and the energy from the jump reflected a team that, at least for the moment, had found its rhythm again.
Now, no one’s pretending that one strong half erases the challenges Memphis has faced this season. But when Morant plays like this - efficient, engaged, and elevating everyone around him - it’s a reminder of just how high this team’s ceiling can be when things are clicking.
The Grizzlies will return to action stateside on Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks. Whether this performance signals a turning point or just a brief reprieve remains to be seen. But for now, Memphis fans can take a breath - their star is back, and he made sure everyone knew it.