The Memphis Grizzlies are optimistic about the season ahead, especially with star guard Ja Morant back in the lineup and in good health. In their season opener on Wednesday night, the Grizzlies secured a thrilling 128-122 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans, with Morant playing a pivotal role. He showcased his skills by scoring 11 of his game-high 35 points in the final minutes, helping the team overcome a 2-point deficit.
Morant’s critical floater off the glass with just 33.2 seconds remaining put the Grizzlies ahead 122-118, enabling them to fend off the challenge posed by Zion Williamson and his Pelicans. The win came after the Grizzlies erased a significant 15-point deficit from the first half.
Despite missing all five preseason games due to an ankle injury, Morant’s return made a notable difference on the court. “It’s a different game when you have Ja back out there,” expressed Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama. Morant’s performance included an impressive shooting line of 13-of-20 along with three rebounds and three assists. He did tweak his previously injured left ankle late in the fourth quarter but remained strong to finish the game.
Morant reflected on his time away from the game, stating, “It felt like I had been out longer than I actually was. I missed being out there with my teammates.” His enthusiasm is shared by the team, as they look to make a mark in a competitive Western Conference.
The Grizzlies also saw a strong performance from Jaren Jackson Jr., who tallied 18 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks, despite dealing with foul trouble and a right toe injury that limited his participation during the preseason. The combination of Morant and Jackson signals a promising season ahead for Memphis, even with the offseason departure of third star Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic.
On the other side, the Miami Heat faced disappointment in their opener, falling 125-121 to Bane’s new team. Despite the loss, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra noted some positives about his team’s performance, particularly the ball movement and scoring during the first three quarters. However, Miami struggled to maintain their advantage, particularly late in the game.
The Heat were without Tyler Herro, last season’s leading scorer, as he is recovering from ankle surgery. This places additional pressure on players like Norman Powell, who led the team with 28 points in the opener, alongside contributions from Bam Adebayo and Davion Mitchell.
With the Grizzlies set to host the Miami Heat on Friday, both teams will be eager to turn their initial performances into momentum for the season ahead. Morant’s return and the potential of Memphis could present a significant challenge for Miami as they seek to bounce back from their opening loss.