“Word is Ja Morant is likely to return for preseason finale vs Heat after sitting out last 3 games to rest sore ankle,” Wallace reported. “Ja returns to a [Grizzlies] offense making strides in adjustments to a higher-paced scheme. He’s talked about how the tweaks positively impact his game.”
Morant pointed to the Grizzlies’ constantly flowing offense as one of the most significant improvements he has noticed throughout training camp.
“[It’s] a lot different. Not too much stagnant offense. Not too much watch a guy. It’s a lot of movement,” Morant said. “I’m seeing a lot of different looks. Now, I’m getting a lot of catch-and-shoot opportunities, back-cuts, catches on the run. So, I felt like it played right into my hands and allows me to get better looks and don’t have to dribble too much.”
After averaging 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.6 rebounds in nine appearances, a shoulder injury derailed the second half of Morant’s season. But the setback has prepared him for what he and the Grizzlies hope will be the kind of production from that nine-game stretch that the team can build on in 2024-25
After returning from an injured right-hand injury that ultimately ended his season last season, Grizzlies’ veteran guard Marcus Smart escaped his preseason scare when he hurt his knee in Memphis’ 119-94 loss to the Charlotte Hornets last Thursday. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year said his knee was “fine” afterward, as one can assume he’s missed the Grizzlies’ previous two preseason outings for preventive purposes, per Athlon Sports’ Adel Ahmad.
“I took a knee-to-knee. It’s probably gonna be a little sore,” Smart said. “Put it like this: If the season started today, I’ll play.”
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