Ja Morant Returns to Memphis Grizzlies’ Lineup After 10-Game Absence
On December 12, 2025, at 11:50 PM ET, the Memphis Grizzlies welcomed back their star point guard, Ja Morant, to the lineup after a 10-game absence due to a right calf strain. Morant’s return was highly anticipated, and he did not disappoint, scoring 21 points and dishing out 10 assists in a closely contested 130-126 loss to the Utah Jazz.
Despite his impressive stat line, Morant struggled with his shot, making only 7 of 20 attempts from the field. He also committed four turnovers in just over 25 minutes of play. When asked about the rust he may have felt after being out for an extended period, Morant acknowledged that he was forced to take some shots and that some of them didn’t fall. “I was forced to get some shots up,” Morant said. “Some of them, I should have been to the free throw line. Some I missed. Some of them I made. I can’t change it. I just got to live with it.”
Morant’s Season So Far
Before his injury, Morant was averaging 17.9 points and 7.6 assists per game, which is below his career average of 22.4 points. His shooting percentages, both overall and from 3-point range, have also taken a hit this season. Morant’s absence was felt by the Grizzlies, but the team managed to go 7-3 during his time off, which is a testament to the team’s depth and resilience.
Morant, who is in his seventh season in the NBA, all with the Grizzlies, was the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, behind Zion Williamson. He has been a key player for the Grizzlies, and his return to the lineup is a significant boost to the team’s chances of making a deep playoff run.
Room for Improvement
Despite his impressive individual performance, Morant was not satisfied with the team’s overall effort, stating that they “played soft” and allowed the Jazz to outrebound them. He also acknowledged that he needs to be better, particularly in terms of rebounding and taking care of the ball. “I’ve got to be better. I’ve got to be able to go up and help my bigs rebound. I’ve got to take care of the ball. Better decisions. Make shots. I’ll correct mine, and we’ll correct ours together,” Morant said.
The Grizzlies will look to bounce back from this tough loss and make the necessary adjustments to get back on track. With Morant back in the lineup, they have the talent and depth to make a strong push for the playoffs. As Morant said, “We should have won,” and the team will look to learn from their mistakes and come out stronger in their next game.
