Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant believes he’s “fully (ready) to go” after undergoing a season-ending shoulder surgery in January. However, the 24-year-old needs to build his endurance before the start of the 2024-25 season after playing just nine games since the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
“I’m really fully (ready) to go, it’s just building endurance now,” Morant told WPSD Local 6’s Adam Wells ahead of his Hall of Fame induction at Murray State University. “So, if I had to pick a number, I’ll say probably like 75 percent.”
Ja Morant was asked by @TheAdamBWells about his health.
“If I had to pick a number I’d say probably 75%, and I feel like that’s still scary for whoever’s in front of me”
Morant is in Murray hosting a camp ahead of his HOF Induction. More to come tonight at 6 & 10 on @WPSDLocal6 pic.twitter.com/at06SZcC34
— Logan Whaley (@LoganWhaleyWPSD) July 25, 2024
“I feel like that’s still scary for whoever’s in front of me.”
Expecting to be fully healthy by October, Morant’s return couldn’t come at a better time for the Grizzlies. Memphis has their most talented roster since the days they were led by Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph. With career averages of 22.5 points and 7.4 assists per game, the 2020 Rookie of the Year could help them make a push for a Western Conference Finals appearance, or more. If so, it’ll be the best postseason run that the Grizzlies have had since 2013.
Grizzlies’ Ja Morant Updates Injury Status
A two-time All-Star, Morant has become the undisputed face of the Grizzlies.
An exceptionally athletic point guard whose straight-line speed and springiness make him a terror on the way to the rim, Memphis relies on him heavily. As the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, that responsibility comes with the territory. Nonetheless, Morant has arguably shouldered that burden better than any top-three pick in the last five years. Leading the Grizzlies to three consecutive postseason appearances between 2021 and 2023, he’s arguably been better in the playoffs. In 19 career playoff games, the Dalzell native has averaged 27.3 points, 8.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
However, with the development of Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and GG Jackson II in particular, Morant now has plenty of help. Even more importantly, they all mesh well with him.
Bane is an All-Star-caliber scorer whose ability to knock down 3s allow him to play off of Morant all but seamlessly. Jackson (Jr.) is a skilled big man with a propensity to launch from deep himself. Though Jackson (II) is much more of a forward than big man, his perimeter-oriented game also makes him a great off-ball threat.
Last season, the trio scored 60.8 points per game combined.
Ja Morant’s Off Court Development
Unfortunately, Morant’s needed more development off the court than on it.
Since the 2022-23 season, he’s made headlines for what were frankly a few knucklehead decisions at best. This not only damaged his reputation but led to him being suspended for the first 25 games of 2023-24. With that being said, only time will tell if Morant’s ready to become the role model that the Grizzlies and others want him to be. Preferably, he’d become a firearm safety advocate, recognizing that he has millions of young fans looking to him for cues.
