Ja Morant Set to Return as Grizzlies Face Magic in London Showdown
The Memphis Grizzlies are gearing up for a bounce-back opportunity on Sunday, and they’re getting a major boost just in time. Ja Morant, who’s been sidelined most of January with a calf injury, has been upgraded to probable and is expected to suit up when the Grizzlies take on the Orlando Magic at London’s O2 Arena. It’s a welcome development for a Memphis squad looking to shake off a tough loss and regain some rhythm overseas.
Injury Report: Who’s In, Who’s Out
Morant’s return headlines a Grizzlies injury report that’s still pretty crowded. Santi Aldama is listed as questionable with a calf issue, while Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Ty Jerome, and Scotty Pippen Jr. remain out. That’s a lot of frontcourt depth on the shelf, which puts added pressure on Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Grizzlies’ makeshift rotation.
Orlando’s injury list is shorter but still notable. Jalen Suggs is out with a knee injury, and Jett Howard is questionable. Colin Castelton is also unavailable as he’s with the G League squad.
A Look Back: Berlin Thriller
These two teams just met in Berlin, and if that game was any indication, we’re in for another wild one. Orlando stormed back from a 20-point deficit to beat Memphis 118-111 in what was the first-ever regular season NBA game in Berlin.
Paolo Banchero was everywhere, finishing with 26 points, 13 boards, and four steals. He set the tone with his physicality and poise in the second half.
Rookie guard Anthony Black chipped in 21 points and seven assists, showing off his growing confidence in big moments. Franz Wagner, returning from a high ankle sprain, dropped 18 points-13 of them in the fourth quarter-as the Magic closed strong.
For Memphis, Jaren Jackson Jr. led all scorers with 30 points and came out firing. The Grizzlies hit nine threes in the first quarter alone and built a 20-point lead early.
But the offense cooled off, and the defense couldn’t contain Orlando’s second-half surge. The turning point came late in the fourth: with the game tied at 105, Black threw down a monster dunk over four Grizzlies defenders, igniting a 13-4 closing run that sealed the win for the Magic.
Game Preview: Round Two in London
Tip-off: 12:00 PM local time
Venue: O2 Arena, London, England
TV: Amazon Prime
Betting Line: Magic -4.5
This will be the second leg of the NBA’s European showcase, and with Morant likely back in the fold, Memphis will look to flip the script. His return could provide the offensive spark and late-game shot creation the Grizzlies missed in Berlin. Expect the pace to pick up and the energy to rise with Morant back on the floor.
On the other side, Orlando has been leaning into its defensive identity again. Banchero spoke postgame about how the team’s defense has been inconsistent this year, partly due to injuries, but emphasized how it fuels their offense when locked in.
“Our defense does ignite our offense,” Banchero said. “It’s frustrating when the effort isn’t there, but as we get healthy, you’ll see it rise.”
Head coach Jamahl Mosley echoed that sentiment, noting how the team settled in after early nerves in Berlin. “That adrenaline was very heavy for those guys tonight,” Mosley said. “But once they got themselves going, you saw what they were capable of.”
Projected Starters
Orlando Magic
- G: Anthony Black
- G: Desmond Bane
- C: Wendell Carter Jr.
- F: Franz Wagner
- F: Paolo Banchero
Memphis Grizzlies
- F: Jaylen Wells
- F: Jaren Jackson Jr.
- C: Jock Landale
- G: Cedrick Coward
- G: Cam Spencer
Yes, you read that right-Desmond Bane is listed among Orlando’s projected starters. That’s likely a reporting error, as Bane is a Grizzlies mainstay. Keep an eye on final lineups closer to tip-off.
What to Watch
- Ja Morant’s Return: How close is he to full speed? Even at 80%, his presence changes the complexion of Memphis’ offense.
- Orlando’s Defensive Intensity: Can they replicate the second-half lockdown effort from Berlin?
- **Jaren Jackson Jr. vs.
Paolo Banchero:** Two versatile bigs who can stretch the floor, defend multiple positions, and carry the scoring load. Expect fireworks.
Sunday’s matchup in London isn’t just another regular season game-it’s a statement opportunity for both teams. The Magic are trying to solidify their playoff positioning in the East, while the Grizzlies are simply trying to stay afloat in a crowded Western Conference race. With Morant back, the stakes just got a little higher.