Ja Morant back in Memphis, where his return should help the Grizzlies fill seats
CTV
Two-time All-Star Ja Morant had a chance Thursday night to try to top a 'perfect ending.' The Memphis Grizzlies' dazzling point guard played his first game at home since the end of his 25-game suspension to start the NBA season because of his social media antics with guns.
Two-time All-Star Ja Morant had a chance Thursday night to try to top a "perfect ending."
The Memphis Grizzlies' dazzling point guard played his first game at home since the end of his 25-game suspension to start the NBA season because of his social media antics with guns.
Memphis not only needs Morant on the court, the Grizzlies hope he brings fans back to a venue that felt more like a crypt than an NBA arena without him.
With Morant banned from watching games from the bench with his teammates, empty seats had been easier to find than fans in Memphis. The last team to win a game on its own court this season went into Thursday's game against Indiana as one of two NBA teams with only one home victory.
Morant made quite the splash in his return to the NBA on Tuesday night, scoring 34 points and the game-winning bucket against New Orleans. Morant called that game " the perfect ending" to a "perfect day."
The Grizzlies' president reminded fans on social media after the team rallied from 24 points down that tickets were available for Thursday night's game. By Thursday morning, only a few remained to watch a team with a 7-19 record overall and just 1-11 in Memphis.
Asked about the atmosphere, Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins quickly replied: "Electric."